「浪花天保山風景」|“View of Mount Tenpō in Osaka” (Naniwa Tempōzan fukei)

Hasegawa Sadamasu 長谷川貞升

1836 · Tetraptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); vertical ōban · Asian Art

This panoramic landscape view, spread over four prints, captures the appearance of Mount Tenpō, a human-made range of hills created as part of a river dredging and flood prevention project around Osaka Harbor. It is named after the Tenpō era, when it was created, and it was intended to replicate the appearance of the arched tortoise-shell shape of Mount Hōrai of East Asian lore, home to Daoist immortals. After a lighthouse was erected and trees were planted, officials invited performers to visit, in order to attract crowds of people who would help tamp down the loose soil. In this idealized rendering, famous Osaka actors of the day are shown arriving with members of their fan clubs, and enjoying refreshments in wayside stands.

Artist

Hasegawa Sadamasu 長谷川貞升

Date

1836

Medium

Tetraptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); vertical ōban

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, in honor of James C. Y. Watt, 2011