Artist:Utagawa Hiroshige
Medium: Woodblock print
Geograhical Locations:
Dates:2nd month of 1857
Dimensions: Sheet: 14 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. (36.2 x 23.5 cm) Image: 13 3/8 x 8 3/4 in. (33.9 x 22.2 cm)
Collections:
Exhibitions:
Accession Number: 30.1478.70
Image: 30.1478.70_PS20.jpg,
Catalogue Description: This view shows the Onagi Canal at the point where it joins the Nakagawa River in the center. Continuing in the far distance is the Shinkawa Canal. Both canals were constructed in the early Edo period to provide a rapid channel for supplying the city from the east and north, and for its access to the salt produced in the area. The mat-covered boats along the canal in the distance are probably carrying loads of this commodity. Two small passenger boats are seen in the lower part of the view and are passing in front of a "bakufu" guard station, which was a checkpoint established for military security. Each boat captain was required to stop at the landing and declare his cargo and passengers in detail. A memory of the inspection station survives today in Guardhouse Bridge which spans the entrance to the Onagi Canal. The Arakawa Drainage Canal presently replaces the lower Nakagawa.