Nihon bashi

ca. 1848–49
Not on view
The journey depicted in the Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō begins with Nihonbashi, the "Bridge of Japan" that marks the center of the city of Edo. Hiroshige illustrates the hustle-bustle of the traffic on the bridge. Large fish are delivered from the nearby fish market. Behind the bridge warehouses are lined up along the river. Some of the Japanese characters on the white walls of the buildings correspond to the name of the publisher of this Tōkaidō series, Maruya Seijirō. This print shows the bridge across the composition and includes a panoramic scene of Edo castle and Mount Fuji. By contrast, the Hoeidō print shows a procession approaching the end of the bridge that is viewed frontally at the center of the composition.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 東海道五十三次 日本橋
  • Title: Nihon bashi
  • Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1797–1858 Tokyo (Edo))
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: ca. 1848–49
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions: Overall: 8 3/4 x 13 3/4in. (22.2 x 34.9cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Francis Lathrop Collection, Purchase, Frederick C. Hewitt Fund, 1911
  • Object Number: JP751
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.