21 c. 1850 - 1851

This woodblock print was made by Utagawa Hiroshige in Japan. It is an image of the town of Tsuchiyama in winter. It makes part of a series of prints called "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road." The Tokaido Road was the most important of the Five Routes of the Edo period in Japan, connecting Edo—modern-day Tokyo—with Kyoto, the imperial capital. It was a vital artery for commerce, governance, and cultural exchange. Hiroshige's series captured the varied landscapes and everyday life along this route, catering to a public eager for images of their nation. Prints like this one were not just landscapes; they were snapshots of a changing society, mass-produced for a growing urban population. The popularity of this series shows us how art can reflect and shape a nation’s sense of itself. Researching the history of the Tokaido Road and the institutions that supported the arts in Edo-period Japan can enrich our understanding of this image. Art history helps us see the connections between art and society.