TOKAIDO GOJU-SAN-TSUGI c. 19th century

Curator: This is Utagawa Hiroshige's "Tokaido Goju-san-tsugi," part of his series depicting scenes along the Tokaido Road. The print resides in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: The stark contrast between the blue-green of the mountain and the milky sky creates a feeling of serene isolation despite the tiny figures moving through the composition. Curator: Indeed. Notice how the linear perspective is flattened, emphasizing the surface and the interplay of shapes rather than illusionistic depth. The artist uses lines of sight to guide us through the journey. Editor: And the labor involved in traversing such landscapes—the physical demands are palpable. It also offers insight into the woodblock printing process itself, each layer and color adding to the overall texture. Curator: Precisely. The arrangement of calligraphic elements also adds to the visual balance, mirroring the landscape and creating an integrated whole. Editor: Examining this print gives insight into the networks of commerce and social practices of the time. It's a reflection of a society and its journeys, both literal and symbolic.