100 Views of Edo # 63 Deluxe Edition by Ando Hiroshige

Artist: Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1787-1858)

Woodblock Prints Title: Ayase River and Kanegafuchi (Ayasegawa Kanegafuchi), from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei)

1st Publication: July 1857

Size: Vertical ôban; 33.2 x 22.1 cm (13 1/16 x 8 11/16 in.)

Date of this edition: July 1857

Publisher: Uoya Eikichi

Condition: A few pin holes in the left margin, else very fine. Exceptional color, impression, and overall condition. Very strong wood grain, very early printing. Fully margin.

Notes: This is an extremely rare Deluxe edition with Mica in the river bank area. Usually, this technique was reserved for good customer or prestigious people, as the technology was fairly new, expensive and difficult to master.

More about this print: Here we reach the farthest point north in the progression along the Sumida River that began in number 55. The view is from the west bank, looking across to the northeast at the point where the Ayase River flows into the Sumida.

This isolated site, called Kanegafuchi, was known for the planting of silk trees, a kind of mimosa, along the bank. Hiroshige has framed the view with one of the trees in full bloom. The silk like filaments that give the tree its name are expressed in light pink lines accented with black. Beyond is a boatman whose bold garment echoes the pattern of the blossoms.

Pictures: Pictures are taken outdoor, in the shade, to reflect true colors, without any enhancements of any kind. The last picture is taken indoor, with a light behind the print, to reveal the exact paper grain, holes if any, or other possible flaws.