Japanese Woodblock Print, originally published between 1834 and 1842, this is a Showa era edition published by Watanabe from recarved woodblocks

SIZE IN INCHES: oban, approx. 10.5 x 15.5 inches

COMMENTS: Number 47 from the Kisokaido Road Series

TRAVELERS PASS THROUGH the mountains in a desolate, snow-covered landscape. The only other sign of life are the emerging pine needles. The feet of the footmen and horses are completely buried in the snow. This print is found in a variety of tones. The sky may be darker than this particular example with less subtle gradations of bokashi.

The post town of Oi, which was at a strategic point of traffic, is said to have formerly been Oi-eki on the ancient Tosando Highway. This picture shows the hilly Jusan Pass between Oi and Okute. The Kisokaido series of prints was a collaboration between Hiroshige and Keisei Eisen who produced twenty-three of the seventy prints.

HIROSHIGE UTAGAWA or Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858) was a Japanese artist during the 19th century and is considered the last great master of the ukiyo-e movement. His approach was more poetic and ambient than the typical ukiyo-e style, and his innovative compositions were a great influence to Western painters, such as Vincent van Gogh. The term ukiyo-e translates to "pictures of the floating world" and refers to a genre of Japanese art with a wide span of imagery such as kabuki actors, folk tales, landscapes, and even erotica. This movement was critical in forming the Western perception of Japanese art.

Fine, no flaws