Woodblock print, 'The Kōya Jewel River in Kii Province', from the series 'Six Jewel Rivers', by Utagawa Hiroshige I (1797-1858), Edo (Tokyo), Japan, circa 1835.

Woodblock print. Chu-tanzaku format, nishiki-e (full-colour print). Figure in landscape.
Most ukiyo-e based on the theme of the six famous Tama rivers depict contemporary scenes. Here, however, the scenes are quite faithful to the original poems or events.This print shows the Koya Tama river, a river made famous in a poem by Kobo Daishi. An apprentice priest is depicted standing on a stone bridge associated with Mt. Koya.
Chu-tanzaku size. Signature: Hiroshige ga. Publisher: Kawaguchiya Shozo. Censorship seal: kiwame.

Purchased from S. M. Franck & Co., accessioned in 1886. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.

Hiroshige (1797-1858) is recognised as one of the great masters of the landscape print. Most designs on the theme of the six famous Tama rivers depict contemporary scenes. In this series, however, the scenes are quite faithful to the original poems or events. This print shows the Tama river at Mt Koya, Kii province (modern Wakayama Prefecture), made famous in the poem by Kobo Daishi inscribed at the top left.

E.3699-1886