The artwork titled “113. Aoi Slope Outside Toranomon Gate,” created by the esteemed artist Hiroshige in 1857, is a woodblock print belonging to the Ukiyo-e art movement. This piece is a genre painting and a cityscape, part of the renowned series “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.”
The artwork depicts a serene evening scene on Aoi Slope, just outside the Toranomon Gate in Edo (modern-day Tokyo). The sky is dotted with stars, and a crescent moon hangs overhead, casting a gentle glow over the landscape. The composition is balanced with a winding path ascending towards the upper left, along which several figures are seen. Some individuals are engaging in daily activities, such as carrying lanterns, while others are tending to small kiosks. The scene exudes a sense of calm and everyday life, depicted through meticulous detail characteristic of Hiroshige’s style. Trees, both bare and evergreen, are silhouetted against the fading light, and the overall ambiance captures a moment of quietude and reflection within the bustling city.
