The Shinobazu Pond at Ueno

Catalog note / 解説

In this view of the Shinobazu Pond in Hiroshige's <i>uchiwa-e</i> (rigid fan print) design we have a complete view of the island in the middle of the Pond and can see the structure of the shrine dedicated to Benten, the goddess of water, surrounded by restaurants and tea-houses. The season being early spring, it is cherry blossoms - rather than the lotus flowers for which the Pond was and is more usually known - that are the main focus of attention. To the north, where the water darkens beneath the red cartouche, one can just make out the mouth of the watercourse that feeds into the Pond. The <i>issei ichidai</i> that appears to the upper right of the artist's signature has the sense of ‘fo…