Kasumigaseki

by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Ukiyo-e

Landscapes Figures Travel Scenes

Mountains

Date:: c. 1830–35
Medium:: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
Format:: Oban
Dimensions:: 23.1 × 36 cm
Source:: Art Institute of Chicago

Typical Price

Uncommon subject or exceptional impression: $2,000–$8,000
Good condition standard print: $500–$2,000
Later impression or common subject: $200–$600

Description

Kasumigaseki — the famous barrier gate on the Tokaido road — is depicted here in nishiki-e polychrome, likely as part of Kuniyoshi's interest in famous places along Japan's great highway during the early 1830s. Travelers pass through the barrier's architecture against a backdrop of misty peaks, a composition that balances genre scene with topographic record. The print dates to Kuniyoshi's most productive period, when he produced landscape and place-name subjects alongside his renowned warrior series.

More Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Yan Qing (Roshi Ensei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

Poem by Abe no Nakamaro, from an untitled series of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets

Hu Sanniang (Ko Sanjo Ichijosei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

Miya, Kuwana, Yokkaichi, and Ishiyakushi, from the series "Famous Places on the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido, Four Stations (Tokaido gojusan eki yonshuku meisho)"

More Landscapes Prints

Lake Kugushi in Wakasa Province (Wakasa Kugushiko), from the series Souvenirs of Travel I (Tabi miyage dai isshu)"

Wakasa Kugushiko

1920

Color woodblock print; oban

Autumn Maple Leaves at Takao, from the album Eight Views of Kyoto (Kyôto hakkei)

Woodblock print

The Beach at Kaiganji in Sanuki Province (Sanuki Kaiganji no hama), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition (Nihon fukei shu II Kansai hen)"

1934

Color woodblock print; oban

Tea Kettle, section of a sheet from the series "Mirror of Stone Rubbings of Views of the Provinces" (Kohon meihitsu ishizuri kagami)

n.d.

Woodblock print; ishizuri-e, section of harimaze sheet

Featured in Collections

Curated cross-cuts that include this print.

Mount Fuji in Japanese Woodblock Prints Meisho-e: Famous-Place Prints

Frequently Asked Questions

Kasumigaseki was created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳) in c. 1830–35.

Kasumigaseki depicts landscapes, figures, and travel scenes.

Kasumigaseki measures 23.1 × 36 cm (Oban format).