Ukiyo-e Educational Catalog · Record 21313

Mannen Bridge, Fukagawa (Fukagawa Mannenbashi)

Artist / 作者: Utagawa Hiroshige歌川広重
Date / 年代: 1857
Medium / 技法: 浮世絵 / Ukiyo-e / Edo / met
Digital record / 画像記録: 2611 × 3853 px
Source collection / 所蔵元: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Published by / 公開者: 紫藤メイ
Rights / 権利: CC0 1.0 only when Open Access-designated
Attribution / 表記: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Catalog note / 解説

Mannen Bridge was not a famous location. This print depicts a turtle hanging from the handle of a wooden bucket. The wooden frames on the right and bottom of the composition are supposed to represent the bridge's handrail. The turtle is associated with a Buddhist ritual called höjöe, in which devotees release trapped animals and other creatures, symbolizing wishes for a good after-life. The sunset in the far distance indicates that the direction is West, which could be connected to the Buddhist Western paradise, the place for the after-life. This print may well signify Hiroshige's desire for a good after-life for the earthquake victims. (from Good News from Hiroshige exhibition 10/9/2008-)

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