Mitsuke 1855

Utagawa Hiroshige’s "Mitsuke" is a woodblock print from the Edo period, employing a traditional Japanese technique called *ukiyo-e*. This process involves carving a separate block for each color, then carefully layering them to build up the image. The final print is a testament to the skill of the artisans involved, with the subtle gradations of tone and the sharp outlines requiring both precision and patience. Look closely, and you can see the texture of the paper itself, a reminder of the natural materials at play. "Mitsuke" depicts a scene along the Tokaido road, a vital artery of commerce and communication, connecting Edo (now Tokyo) with Kyoto. The figures populating the landscape give a sense of everyday life and work, a contrast to the idealized landscapes often favored in fine art. Here, Hiroshige elevates the ordinary, reminding us that beauty and value can be found in the world around us, in the labor of its people, and in the skill and labor that goes into its production. In this way, the print challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.