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Sakasai Ferry, No. 67 from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo

Utagawa Hiroshige

Asian Art

The birds that dominate this scene in the swampy delta area around the village of Sakasai east of Edo have been accorded special attention, with their wing patterns executed in delicate karazuri embossing. Judging from the bushy crests and yellow bills, the birds are Chinese egrets—a species only rarely seen in the summer in Japan. Far more common was the little egret, with no crest and a black bill. The artist naturally preferred the more decorative species, whether it was to be found in the place or not.

MEDIUM Woodblock print
  • Place Made: Japan
  • DATES 2nd month of 1857
    PERIOD Edo Period, Ansei Era
    DIMENSIONS Image: 13 1/2 x 9 in. (34.3 x 22.9 cm) Sheet: 14 1/4 x 9 5/16 in. (36.2 x 23.7 cm)  (show scale)
    MARKINGS No publisher's seal visible, probably lost when left margin was trimmed. Date and censor seals at top margin.
    SIGNATURE Hiroshige-ga
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 30.1478.67
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Anna Ferris
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION The center of attraction here are the Chinese egrets, with their bushy crests and yellow bills, that are shown inhabiting the Nakagawa River. In the distance is a lone cargo boatman and two ferries passing each other near the landing. The Sakasai ferry was named after the neighboring village on the far side and was replaced by a Sakasai Bridge in 1879, the first bridge built across the Nakagawa. The Chinese egrets, shown here, were rarely seen in the summer in Japan and today egrets of any type are rare in this densely settled part of Tokyo.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797-1858). Sakasai Ferry, No. 67 from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, 2nd month of 1857. Woodblock print, Image: 13 1/2 x 9 in. (34.3 x 22.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Anna Ferris, 30.1478.67 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 30.1478.67_PS20.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 30.1478.67_PS20.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2023
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