Kasumigaseki
- 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
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
Woman as the Hero Taisō in Palanquin Holding a Pipe
c. 1830
Woodblock print (surimono), ink and color on paper
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)"
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.
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).