Bridges at the Mouth of the Aji River Tenpözan, Settsu Province

Catalog note / 解説

In 1831 (the third year of Tempo), the Aji River, which flowed through Osaka into Osaka Bay, was dredged. The riverbed soil was used to build the artificial Tempozan Hill at the south of the river's mouth. Planted with pine, oak, willow, and cherry trees, and equipped with stores and restaurants, the hill became a kind of pleasure park. Soon one of Osaka's newest and most renowned sites, it was widely reported among avid novelty seekers as the last word in indulgence. In this print, Hokusai did not focus on this small bridge, but represents the entire hill, with its ascending road, beautiful plantings, and people. Hokusai inscribed it ""Copied by request from an Osaka picture."" Apparently…