Hiroshige Ando was a renowned Japanese artist who made significant contributions to landscape art in the Ukiyo-e style. One of his most notable works is the woodblock print from his series, One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, which depicts Ushimachi in Takanawa in 1857. The artwork showcases a summer setting with discarded watermelon rinds and a straw sandal, and features a large section of an oxcart on the right side.
The print is trimmed to the image with visible woodgrain, adding natural texture to the artwork’s overall theme. It highlights Ushimachi’s aesthetic beauty just outside of Takanawa Gate and further reveals the town’s location between Okido and Shinagawa-shuku Station.
Overall, Hiroshige Ando succeeded in painting an idyllic picture that captures both the essence of summer and introduces viewers to Ushimachi at Takanawa through his work on this specific artwork.
