No.Kusatsu 1847 - 1852

This is "No.Kusatsu," a woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige, made during the Edo period, a time of relative peace and economic growth in Japan. Hiroshige was a master of *ukiyo-e*, or "pictures of the floating world," a genre that often depicted landscapes, beautiful women, and scenes from everyday life. "No.Kusatsu" is part of the series "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road." In this print we see the Kusatsu station on the Tokaido Road. The Tokaido Road connected Edo, modern-day Tokyo, with Kyoto, the imperial capital. The series captures the essence of travel and the changing vistas along this vital route. The figures within the boats and along the shoreline are dwarfed by the natural elements of the composition. Hiroshige’s work provided an understanding of Japanese identity and place at a time when travel was tightly controlled, suggesting both a romanticized vision and a carefully surveilled reality. His prints made this world accessible to a broad audience, shaping perceptions of Japan for both its citizens and the wider world. His ability to evoke mood and atmosphere with simple lines and colors remains deeply affecting.