The artwork, titled “8. Suruga Chō,” was created in 1857 by the artist Hiroshige. It is a woodblock print belonging to the Ukiyo-e art movement and falls under the landscape genre. This piece is a part of the series “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.”
The artwork presents a bustling street scene set against the backdrop of magnificent Mount Fuji. The perspective leads the viewer’s eye from the street’s activities in the foreground, featuring numerous individuals engaged in daily activities, to the serene, snow-capped mountain in the background. The contrast between the immediate urban environment and the distant natural splendor captures the harmonious coexistence of nature and human life in the Edo period. The structural elements of the street, adorned with traditional Japanese architectural details, create a sense of depth and movement, while the delicate coloration reflects the time of day and season. This composition, characteristic of Hiroshige’s mastery, invites contemplation of the temporal and the eternal.
