The artwork titled “48 (63) Suidō Bridge and the Surugadai Quarter” is a significant piece by the eminent artist Hiroshige, completed in the year 1857 within the geographic context of Japan. This work forms part of the influential “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” series and contributes to the Ukiyo-e art movement. While it is categorized under “animal painting,” this should be understood within the context of Ukiyo-e, which often employed subjects from nature, including flora and fauna, within broader landscape scenes.
The artwork features a bold composition where a carp (koi fish) is depicted in the foreground with exaggerated scale, creating a striking visual effect as it looms large over the scene. Behind the carp, a detailed landscape unfolds, presenting an expansive view that includes the Suidō Bridge and Surugadai Quarter. The remarkable representation captures the essence of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) with meticulous intricacy, characteristic of Hiroshige’s refined style. Further away, Mount Fuji stands majestically in the background, imbuing the piece with a serene sense of depth and cultural significance.
In the broader scene, several smaller carps are seen flying kites against the evocative colors of the dusk sky, resonating with cultural symbolism, and highlighting festive elements evident in Japanese customs. Pedestrians are depicted traversing the bridge and along the riverbanks, adding a human dimension and a sense of everyday life during the Edo period. This juxtaposition of vibrant nature against human activity illustrates the harmonious coexistence within the Japanese landscape.
Overall, the artwork delivers a poetic vision of a culturally rich and historically significant location in Japan, rendered with the delicate balance and aesthetic sensibilities that define Hiroshige’s artistic legacy.
