Mitsuke is among the more evocative stops along the Tokaido, and Sekino's interpretation brings a distinctly modern sensibility to this historic waypoint. The entire series was hand-printed by the artist over fifteen years of dedicated work. This station typically commands $300-$1,200 at auction.
The print's full title references both the post-town of Mitsuke and the Tokaido series in Japanese (Tokaido gojusan tsugi), suggesting it was produced as part of Sekino's extended engagement with the old highway. Mitsuke, on the Tenryu River in what is now Shizuoka, was a crossing-point station where travelers waited for ferries — the river too wide and swift for bridges — giving the town an atmosphere of enforced pause and communal waiting.
1932
Color woodblock print; oban
c. 1833/34
Color woodblock print; oban
c. 1833/34
Color woodblock print; oban
1935
Color woodblock print; oban
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Mitsuke / Tokaido gojusan tsugi ('Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road) was created by Jun'ichiro Sekino (関野準一郎).
Yes — Mitsuke / Tokaido gojusan tsugi ('Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road) is part of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido series (print 29 of 55) by Jun'ichiro Sekino.
Mitsuke / Tokaido gojusan tsugi ('Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road) uses Nishiki-e, Moku-hanga, and Kento, on woodblock print.
Mitsuke / Tokaido gojusan tsugi ('Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road) depicts tōkaidō and travel scenes.
