The artwork titled “36. View From Massaki of Suijin Shrine, Uchigawa Inlet, and Sekiya” is an exquisite piece crafted by the artist Hiroshige in the year 1857. Belonging to the Ukiyo-e art movement, this landscape genre artwork is part of the celebrated series, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.”
In the artwork, the viewer is presented with a tranquil riverside scene, encapsulating the serene beauty of nature and everyday life in Edo during the mid-19th century. The composition is framed by the curved edge of a circular fan, highlighted by delicate blooming plum branches in the foreground. The narrow strips on the right-hand side suggest the edge of shoji screens. Through the circular window, one can see calm waters with boats gently floating, steered by figures using poles. The shoreline is adorned with lush greenery, and distant mountains outline the horizon under a pastel sky dappled with flying birds. The subtle gradation of colors from the blue water to the warm hues of the sunset sky illustrates the meticulous detail and artistry characteristic of Hiroshige’s work within the Ukiyo-e tradition.
