Artwork

東海道五十三次御油|Goyu, from the series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road

東海道五十三次御油|Goyu, from the series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road is an ink print by Utagawa Hiroshige. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Accession no.: JP3476
Credit line: Gift of Cole J. Younger, 1975

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, Goyu, is part of Utagawa Hiroshige's series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road. Created in the Edo period, it depicts a scene along the Tōkaidō, a major route between Edo and Kyoto.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows travelers crossing a rickety bridge, emphasizing their collective effort rather than individual identities. The blurred faces and focus on the activity suggest a narrative centered on the journey.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink and color on paper, the print features bright, flat colors and a pale sky, evoking a storybook quality. The composition includes a prominent tree and thatched-roof houses, characteristic of Hiroshige's landscape style.

History & Provenance

Although the exact creation date is not specified, Hiroshige's series was produced during the Edo period, marking a departure from traditional ukiyo-e themes by focusing on landscapes and travel scenes.

東海道五十三次　吉田|Yoshida, from the series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road, Utagawa Hiroshige

Artist & collection

Artist

Utagawa Hiroshige

Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重) or Andō Hiroshige (安藤広重), born Andō Tokutarō (安藤徳太郎; 1797 – 12 October 1858), was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist, considered the last great master of that tradition.

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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