Archive
Exhibitions
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ANDO HIROSHIGE
Tokaido - Hoeido edition 26-30
26 Nissaka
A very steep yellow road in a mountainous district, and at the foot of it people examining a large rock, marking the spot where a murder was committed.
Travellers look inquisitively at the popularly called "Night weeping stone" lying on the road. Legend has it that the stone called out to a priest to rescue a child from its dying pregnant mother who had been attacked by bandits at night.
27 Kakegawa
Travellers crossing a high trestle-bridge over the Kake River, two of them peering into the water below, and behind a small boy watching a kite up in the air, while beyond another, with broken string, flutters to earth. Peasants transplanting rice in the flooded fields, and in the distance Mount Akiba rising above the mists.
A shrine standing on the top of a mountain near this station attracted worshippers from all over Japan who came to pray for protection against the calamity of fire. An old couple of travellers are struggling against a strong wind as they toil to cross the arched bridge. A naughty boy is following them with a mocking gesture.
28 Fukuroi
Coolies resting by a wayside shelter, while a large kettle, hung from the branch of a tree, is boiling; a woman stirs the fire, while a coolie lights his pipe at it. Close against the tree stands a road direction post, and on the right is a bird perched upon a wayside noticeboard; behind are rice fields, at the edge of which stands the village.
In this vicinity the highway passed through desolate fields and it was uncomfortable to journey along during the summer months. However, this district was renowned for its strong winds in winter when kite flying was a popular local pastime.
29 Mitsuke
A large sand-bank in the centre of the "Heaven-dragon" River, and people crossing the further arm in boats; two other boats in foreground, moored to the sand-bank, and the distant shore enveloped in mist.
The name of this station was derived from the fact that people travelling from Kyoto to Edo were able to get their first glimpse of Mount Fuji from here. The rapidly flowing river "Tenryu" flowed west of the station and travellers had to cross the river by ferryboat.
30 Hamamatsu
A party of coolies warming themselves by a bonfire beside a large tree, a traveller, with a pipe in hand, looking on, and a peasant woman carrying a child on her back, approaching from the right. Bare, flat rice-fields, across which stand the castle and village in the background.
This plate depicts a wintry rural scene on the outskirts of Hamamatsu Station. The village and Hamamatsu Castle are visible in the distance. Hiroshige always depicted travellers and local people appropriate to the landscape and setting.
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