Japan: Keishi (京師) 'The Capital'. The end of the Tōkaidō: arriving at Kyoto.(Hōeidō edition), Utagawa Hiroshige (1833-1834)

Kyoto: In the foreground the 'long' bridge over the Kamo River, and people crossing over, with the town beyond, behind which rise hills overlooking it, the most distant printed from graded colourblock only.

While descending to Kyoto, travellers could enjoy a panoramic view of the elegant imperial capital from the mountain pass and undoubtedly felt joy and relief at seeing the final destination of their journey from Edo. In those days it was the wish of every Japanese to see Kyoto once in his life.

Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川 広重, 1797 – October 12, 1858) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist, and one of the last great artists in that tradition. He was also referred to as Andō Hiroshige (安藤 広重) (an irregular combination of family name and art name) and by the art name of Ichiyūsai Hiroshige (一幽斎廣重).

The Tōkaidō (東海道 East Sea Road) was the most important of the Five Routes of the Edo period, connecting Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto in Japan. Unlike the inland and less heavily travelled Nakasendō, the Tōkaidō travelled along the sea coast of eastern Honshū, hence the route's name.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Credit:

Pictures From History

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53 TOKAIDO STATIONS