View of the Sumida River in the Snow

Catalog note / 解説

Although this is a later printing (<i>atozuri</i>) of a mid-1840s design, the colouring and register of the wintry view of the upper reaches of the Sumida river in this <i>uchiwa-e</i> (rigid fan print) design by Hiroshige are still relatively good. We are looking upstream from the Mukojima side of the Hashiba ferry crossing in northern Edo. The houses across the river mark the upper extremity of the Massaki area, while the stone lanterns and <i>torii</i> gate (a two-column gate to a Shinto shrine) among the snow-laden pine trees to the right are the entrance to the Suijin Shrine. This place was dedicated to the spirit of the Sumida river, and was believed to give protection to boatmen and…