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Scattered Pines, Tone River, No. 71 from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo

Utagawa Hiroshige

Asian Art

We can almost hear the swish as the fisherman casts his net out over the Tone River. The stubby lead weights around the edge of the net form a pleasing border to the intricate web within, a masterpiece of carving technique. Through the net is a blurred continuation of the distant shore. The "scattered pines" of the title may be explained by the pine trees on the island at the left, worn and twisted by the wind. The place was popular among fishermen for its carp.

MEDIUM Woodblock print
  • Place Made: Japan
  • DATES 8th month of 1856
    PERIOD Edo Period, Ansei Era
    DIMENSIONS Image: 13 1/4 x 8 11/16 in. (33.7 x 22 cm) Sheet: 14 3/16 x 9 3/8 in. (36 x 23.8 cm)  (show scale)
    MARKINGS Publisher: Shitaya Uo Ei
    SIGNATURE Hiroshige-ga
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 30.1478.71
    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 This scene shows a fisherman casting his net, with lead weights around the edge, into the Tone River. The location depicted was known for its carp and the wind twisted pine trees mentioned in the title appear on the shore to the left. In Hiroshige's day, "Tone River" referred to what is now the Edogawa River. It has been suggested that the "Barabaramatsu" in the title referred to more than one place, perhaps various groups of scattered pines along the riverbanks in this region.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797–1858). Scattered Pines, Tone River, No. 71 from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, 8th month of 1856. Woodblock print, Image: 13 1/4 x 8 11/16 in. (33.7 x 22 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Anna Ferris, 30.1478.71 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 30.1478.71_PS20.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 30.1478.71_PS20.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2023
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