Visiting a Temple at Dawn

Catalog note / 解説

This quietly atmospheric depiction of three courtesans on an early morning outing is one of the most successful of Hiroshige's <i>uchiwa-e</i> (rigid fan print) designs. Shades of grey softened by tonal grading known as <i>bokashi</i> provide a misty background to the strong geometric lines of the bridge and the solid forms of the three women. The colours of the sky and river are echoed in the blues and greys of the women's outer garments, subdued foils for the accents of red at hem, sleeve and collar, and for the bright red sash worn by the younger woman on the right. The breadth of the river and the masted cargo boats moored in the background suggest that we are standing at the west end o…