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Distant View of Kinryuzan Temple and Azuma Bridge (Azumabashi Kinryuzan Enbo), No. 39 from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo

Utagawa Hiroshige

Asian Art

The pleasure boat in the foreground of this scene features a stylish, discreetly hidden geisha. Accompanying her would be one or two guests, perhaps another geisha, and no doubt an attendant or two. The shower of petals fluttering by suggests that they have just enjoyed a day viewing cherry blossoms. Beyond is the "distant view" of the title. To the right is the huge main hall and the towering five-story pagoda of Asakusa Kannon Temple (formerly known as Kinryūzan Sensōji), the most ancient and popular Buddhist temple in the city. To the left is Azuma Bridge, the last and northernmost of the four bridges spanning the Sumida River, and beyond in the far distance is the peak of Mount Fuji.

MEDIUM Woodblock print
  • Place Made: Japan
  • DATES 8th month of 1857
    PERIOD Edo Period, Ansei Era
    DIMENSIONS 14 1/4 x 9 5/16in. (36.2 x 23.7cm) Sheet: 14 3/16 x 9 1/8 in. (36.1 x 23.1 cm) Image: 13 1/4 x 8 3/4 in. (33.7 x 22.2 cm)  (show scale)
    MARKINGS Publisher: Shitaya Uo Ei
    SIGNATURE Hiroshige-ga
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 30.1478.39
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Anna Ferris
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION This scene shows a gust of wind carrying cherry petals over the top of a pleasure boat setting out from the Mukojima side of the Sumida River and heading across to the mouth of the San'ya Canal. The location is similar to the one in print 3 of the series. Partially hidden on the left is a geisha wearing a patterned obi and overgarment. The boat probably carried another geisha and an attendant or two and they are most likely on their way to one of the restaurants near Imado Bridge or perhaps to the Yoshiwara. Beyond the boat, one sees the distant view of the Kinryuzan Temple; to the right is the large main hall and the five story pagoda of Asakusa Kannon Temple (see print 99 of the series). On the left is Azuma Bridge, also known as Okawa Bridge (Okawa or Great River being another name for the Sumida; the bridge was built in 1774).
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797-1858). Distant View of Kinryuzan Temple and Azuma Bridge (Azumabashi Kinryuzan Enbo), No. 39 from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, 8th month of 1857. Woodblock print, 14 1/4 x 9 5/16in. (36.2 x 23.7cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Anna Ferris, 30.1478.39 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 30.1478.39_PS20.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 30.1478.39_PS20.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2023
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