Hiroshige – Shinagawa, Vertical Tōkaidō No. 2 – 1855 – Original Edo Period Woodblock Print - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)
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€ 170
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Selected by Giovanni Bottero
Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
Estimate € 300 - € 400
 | €170 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €160 | |
| €150 | |
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Original 1855 Japanese woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige I, depicting Shinagawa, No. 2 of the Vertical Tōkaidō series, in Ōban tate-e format (37 × 25 cm).
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Description from the seller
** An impression of this design was recently sold by a major gallery for €1,450, reflecting the strong demand for original Hiroshige prints. This lot offers the chance to acquire an original Hiroshige impression with no reserve price. **
Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige I (1797–1858)
Series: Gojūsan tsugi meisho zue (Famous Sights of the Fifty-three Stations), known as the Vertical Tōkaidō, No. 2
Signature: Hiroshige hitsu
Publisher: Tsutaya Kichizō (Kōeidō)
Seals: aratame censor seal and date seal Hare 7 (7th month of Ansei 2, 1855)
Technique: Original Japanese woodblock print (nishiki-e)
Format: Ōban tate-e, 37 x 25 cm
__________________________________________________________
CONDITION
The colours are fairly well preserved and the impression reads well with some fading and soiling on the margins. The paper is firm and subtle. Fine print overall! Please check the images carefully!
__________________________________________________________
About the print
Shinagawa was the first post station on the Tōkaidō, the highway linking Edo with Kyoto. This view is taken from Goten-yama, a hill above the station. Yoshino cherry trees were planted there in the Kanbun era (1661–73), and by the early 18th century the hill was one of Edo’s best-known places for cherry-blossom viewing. Hiroshige returned to the site many times over his career.
The print appeared in the 7th month of 1855, shortly after a major change to the hill. After Commodore Perry’s arrival in 1853, the shogunate dug away large parts of Goten-yama and used the earth to build the Shinagawa Daiba, a group of island fortresses in Edo Bay. Contemporary viewers would have known the site both as a cherry-blossom spot and as part of Edo’s new coastal defence.
The Vertical Tōkaidō was one of Hiroshige’s last major landscape series. Unlike his famous horizontal Hōeidō Tōkaidō of the 1830s, it uses the upright ōban format, which allowed him to rework familiar stations as tall compositions with a deep view into the distance. This sheet is from the first edition period, with the 1855 date seal intact.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
** An impression of this design was recently sold by a major gallery for €1,450, reflecting the strong demand for original Hiroshige prints. This lot offers the chance to acquire an original Hiroshige impression with no reserve price. **
Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige I (1797–1858)
Series: Gojūsan tsugi meisho zue (Famous Sights of the Fifty-three Stations), known as the Vertical Tōkaidō, No. 2
Signature: Hiroshige hitsu
Publisher: Tsutaya Kichizō (Kōeidō)
Seals: aratame censor seal and date seal Hare 7 (7th month of Ansei 2, 1855)
Technique: Original Japanese woodblock print (nishiki-e)
Format: Ōban tate-e, 37 x 25 cm
__________________________________________________________
CONDITION
The colours are fairly well preserved and the impression reads well with some fading and soiling on the margins. The paper is firm and subtle. Fine print overall! Please check the images carefully!
__________________________________________________________
About the print
Shinagawa was the first post station on the Tōkaidō, the highway linking Edo with Kyoto. This view is taken from Goten-yama, a hill above the station. Yoshino cherry trees were planted there in the Kanbun era (1661–73), and by the early 18th century the hill was one of Edo’s best-known places for cherry-blossom viewing. Hiroshige returned to the site many times over his career.
The print appeared in the 7th month of 1855, shortly after a major change to the hill. After Commodore Perry’s arrival in 1853, the shogunate dug away large parts of Goten-yama and used the earth to build the Shinagawa Daiba, a group of island fortresses in Edo Bay. Contemporary viewers would have known the site both as a cherry-blossom spot and as part of Edo’s new coastal defence.
The Vertical Tōkaidō was one of Hiroshige’s last major landscape series. Unlike his famous horizontal Hōeidō Tōkaidō of the 1830s, it uses the upright ōban format, which allowed him to rework familiar stations as tall compositions with a deep view into the distance. This sheet is from the first edition period, with the 1855 date seal intact.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
Edo Period (1600-1868)
Country of Origin
Japan
Attribution
Original
Title of artwork
Hiroshige – Shinagawa, Vertical Tōkaidō No. 2 – 1855 – Original Edo Period Woodblock Print
Condition
Good condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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