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Teppozu and Tsukiji Honganji Temple, No. 78 from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo

Utagawa Hiroshige

Asian Art

In the distance along the Teppōzu shore is the great Nishi Honganji Temple, the headquarters of one of two rival Buddhist sects. Its main hall was one of the largest buildings in Edo and a familiar landmark both on land and at sea.

This print and the following one bear the anomalous series title Edo hyakkei yokyō. Although it is unclear exactly how to interpret the meaning of the suffix yokyō, which tends to suggest "side entertainment" or "diversion," the most likely explanation is that after the series had reached its promised quota of a hundred views, additional prints began to be issued as "extra entertainment."

MEDIUM Woodblock print
  • Place Made: Japan
  • DATES 7th month of 1858
    PERIOD Edo Period, Ansei Era
    DIMENSIONS Sheet: 14 3/16 x 9 1/4 in. (36 x 23.5 cm) Image: 13 3/8 x 8 3/4 in. (34 x 22.2 cm)  (show scale)
    MARKINGS No publisher's seal visible, probably lost when left margin was trimmed.
    SIGNATURE Hiroshige-ga
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 30.1478.78
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Anna Ferris
    PROVENANCE Prior to 1930, provenance not yet documented; by 1930, acquired by Anna Ferris of Summit, NJ; 1930, gift of Anna Ferris to the Brooklyn Museum.
    Provenance FAQ
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Along the Teppozu shore are stone jetties, built to protect the area from storms, and in the foreground are fishermen. The large temple in the distance is Nishi Hongagi, originally built in 1617 in Hama-cho but moved to the present location following the Meireki fire of 1657 and given a ten-acre lot in the newly reclaimed area of Tsukiji ("built-up land"). The main hall of the temple was one of the largest buildings in Edo and its location here became a familiar landmark (see prints 2, 21, and 80 of the series), it was known under a number of popular honorific names, such as Tsukiji Gobo or Tsukiji Monzeki. The building was destroyed in a violent storm in 1854 and rebuilding was not completed until 1860. It was probably under construction when this print was published. There is good detail in the fabric printing on the two sails at the bottom of the print.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797–1858). Teppozu and Tsukiji Honganji Temple, No. 78 from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, 7th month of 1858. Woodblock print, Sheet: 14 3/16 x 9 1/4 in. (36 x 23.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Anna Ferris, 30.1478.78 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 30.1478.78_PS20.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 30.1478.78_PS20.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2023
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