The Shinobazu Pond at Ueno thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

The Shinobazu Pond at Ueno

Woodblock Print
1849-1852 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In this view of the Shinobazu Pond in Hiroshige's uchiwa-e (rigid fan print) design we have a complete view of the island in the middle of the Pond and can see the structure of the shrine dedicated to Benten, the goddess of water, surrounded by restaurants and tea-houses. The season being early spring, it is cherry blossoms - rather than the lotus flowers for which the Pond was and is more usually known - that are the main focus of attention. To the north, where the water darkens beneath the red cartouche, one can just make out the mouth of the watercourse that feeds into the Pond. The issei ichidai that appears to the upper right of the artist's signature has the sense of ‘for once and for all’ or ‘never again’, suggesting that the artist had run out of ideas for depicting this popular and famous site. The design is one of three belonging to an untitled series of views of Edo.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Shinobazu Pond at Ueno (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Colour print from woodblocks
Brief description
Woodblock print, Utagawa Hiroshige I; 'The Shinobazu Pond at Ueno', from an untitled series of views of Edo; fan print, Japanese, 1849-1852
Physical description
Fan print, aiban size. Artist signature: Hiroshige ga. Publisher mark: Enshuya Matabei. Censor seals: Magome and Hama.
Dimensions
  • Approx. height: 220mm
  • Approx. width: 290mm
Style
Credit line
Webb Bequest
Place depicted
Summary
In this view of the Shinobazu Pond in Hiroshige's uchiwa-e (rigid fan print) design we have a complete view of the island in the middle of the Pond and can see the structure of the shrine dedicated to Benten, the goddess of water, surrounded by restaurants and tea-houses. The season being early spring, it is cherry blossoms - rather than the lotus flowers for which the Pond was and is more usually known - that are the main focus of attention. To the north, where the water darkens beneath the red cartouche, one can just make out the mouth of the watercourse that feeds into the Pond. The issei ichidai that appears to the upper right of the artist's signature has the sense of ‘for once and for all’ or ‘never again’, suggesting that the artist had run out of ideas for depicting this popular and famous site. The design is one of three belonging to an untitled series of views of Edo.
Collection
Accession number
E.4861-1919

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Record createdMarch 12, 2003
Record URL
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