One Hundred Famous Views of Edo


One Hundred Famous Views of Edo is a series of 119 ukiyo-e prints begun and largely completed by the Japanese artist Hiroshige. The prints were first published in serialized form in 1856–59, with Hiroshige II completing the series after Hiroshige's death. It was tremendously popular and much reprinted.

History

Hiroshige painted in the style of the Utagawa school, a 19th-century popular style in woodblock prints, much favoured during his lifetime. Increasingly large series of prints were produced. This trend can be seen in Hiroshige’s work, such as The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō and The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaidō.
Many publishing houses arose and grew, publishing both books and individual prints. A publisher's ownership of the physical woodblocks used to print a given text or image constituted the closest equivalent to a concept of "copyright" that existed at this time.
Woodblock prints such as these were produced in large numbers in 18th- and 19th-century Japan, created by artists, block cutters and printers working independently to the instructions of specialist publishers. Prints such as these were called ukiyo-e, which means 'pictures of the floating world'. This world was one of transient delights and changing fashions centred on the licensed pleasure districts and popular theatres found in the major cities of Japan.
In the years 1829–36, a seven volume illustrated guidebook Pictures of famous places of Edo was published. It was begun by Saitō Yukio in 1790 and illustrated very accurately by Hasegawa Settan. The pictures and text describe the important temples and shrines, but also the famous stores, restaurants, tea-houses etc. of Edo as well as the Sumida river and its channels and surrounding landscape.
Hiroshige, in several cases, makes use of this guide for his series of colour prints. It is a work that inspired a number of Western artists, including Vincent van Gogh, to experiment with imitations of Japanese methods.
The series uses a vertical format which Hiroshige pioneered in his preceding series, Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces, and was a departure from the horizontal format used in his previous major print series.

Prints

Key

No.TitleDepictedRemarksDateLocationImage
Table of ContentsAbbreviated titles of prints arranged by season: two boxes at top are spring, fan-shaped box is summer, bottom right box autumn and bottom left are winter prints
1Nihonbashi: Clearing after SnowNihonbashi, Edo Castle, Mount Fuji
2KasumigasekiStreet, guardhouse of residence of Asano, barracks of samurai of the Kuroda clan, Edo BayKadomatsu gate pines and manzai dancers indicate a setting around New Year; kite with Japanese character for fish is a reference to the publisher of the series, Sakanaya Eikichi
3Hibiya and Soto-Sakurada from Yamashita-chōResidence of daimyō Nabeshima Kansō from the Saga Domain, outer moat of Edo Castle, Mount FujiKadomatsu pine, hagoita and kites indicate a setting around New year
4Tsukudajima and Eitai BridgeEitai Bridge, Sumida River, fishing boats of TsukudajimaAn almost identical composition titled Eitaibashi by Hiroshige exists in the second volume of his "Illustrated Souvenirs of Edo"
5Ekōin Temple in Ryōgoku and Moto-Yanagi BridgeDrum tower of Ekō-in, Honjo neighbourhood, Sumida River, residence of Matsudaira feudal lor of Tanba, Mount FujiDrum tower was associated with sumo tournaments held at Ekō-in; for marketing purposes the print appeared two months after a popular major exhibition of temple treasures at Ekō-in
6Hatsune Riding Ground in Bakuro-chōHatsune Riding Ground and district's fire watch towerDyers of Konya-chō district using riding grounds to dry their cloths
7Shops with Cotton Goods in Ōdenma-chōStreet scene with geishas, cotton shops in Ōdenma-chō
8Suruga-chōMitsui textile stores, Mount FujiEchigoya later became the Mitsukoshi department store chain whose modern day headquarters are located on the left side of the street in the print
9Yatsukōji, Inside Sujikai GateYatsukōji junction, Kanda River, Kanda ShrineOne of the few open spaces in Edo, created as fire-breaks
10Sunrise at Kanda Myōjin ShrineKanda ShrineProbably produced as a souvenir of the shrine festival in memory of the Battle of Sekigahara celebrated on the 15th day of the 9th month
11Kiyomizu Hall and Shinobazu Pond at UenoKiyomizu Hall of Kan'ei-ji, Moon Pine, Shinobazu PondDepicted pines are in reality much smaller
12Ueno YamashitaIseya restaurant, templesPublished in the month after Hiroshige's death; composition probably based on his sketches but probably completed by Hiroshige II
13Shitaya HirokōjiHirokōji, premises of textile retailer MatsuzakayaPublished in the same month in which the depicted Matsuzakaya store re-opened after the 1855 earthquake
14Temple Gardens in NipporiTemple GardensDepicts cherries and azaleas in bloom while in reality they bloom at different times of the year
15Suwa Bluff in NipporiSuwa Myōjin Shrine grounds, Mount Tsukuba
16Flower Park and Dangozaka Slope in SendagiCherry orchard, Pavilion of the Violet Spring The print is a reference to the reconstruction of the Shisentai after the 1855 earthquake and to Tokugawa Iesada's visit to the park two months prior to publication
17View to the North from AsukayamaAsukayama Park, Mount TsukubaPossibly inspired by Tokugawa Iesada's visit to the park two months prior to publication
18The Ōji Inari ShrineŌji Inari Shrine, Mount Tsukuba
19Dam on the Otonashi River at Ōji, known as "The Great Waterfall"Otonashi River, Amida Hall of Kinrin-ji temple, Takata-chōLikely created to mark Tokugawa Iesada's visit to Kinrin-ji and Takata on the 21st day of the first month
20The Kawaguchi Ferry and Zenkōji templeArakawa River, Zenkō-ji templeA year after Hiroshige designed the print, the Buddha in the Amida Hall at the top was due to be exhibited publicly for the first time in 13 years; in a pun Hiroshige covered the hall of this "secret Buddha" with the title cartouche
21Mount Atago in ShibaAtago Shrine, Edo BayScene depicts an emissary from Enpuku-ji temple who on every third day of the year performs a ceremony at Atago Shrine for good fortune, health and success and to avert hunger and disease; the large rice paddle in his hand symbolizes abundance, the seaweed around his neck was distributed after the ceremony among the faithful who used it to brew an infusion against colds
22Hiroo on Furukawa RiverFurukawa River, "Fox" restaurant
23Chiyogaike Pond in MeguroChiyogaike PondFeature a — for the time — unusual depiction of reflections of the trees in the water
24New Fuji in MeguroMita Aqueduct, Mount Fuji replica, Mount FujiSubject is a replica of Mount Fuji erected in 1829 by Fuji worshippers
25The Original Fuji in MeguroMount Fuji replica, Mount FujiFuji replica erected in 1812 was at the tallest in Edo; this print was incorrectly placed in the spring section of the table of contents since the depicted cherry trees are in autumn foliage; spelling of "Fuji" in the title as is thought to be a pun on the doubling of the mountain
26The "Armour-Hanging Pine" at Hakkeizaka BluffTōkaidō, Edo BayDepicts a popular viewpoint of Edo Bay; according to legend, Minamoto no Yoshiie hung his armour on this tree in 1062; Hiroshige adapts the shape of the tree so that only a giant could have hung his armour on it
27Plum Orchard in KamadaPlum Orchard in Kamada
28Palace Hill in ShinagawaPalace HillDepicts both a famous cherry blossom spot and the destruction of the landscape after removal of earth; the earth was used to build ramparts in the sea following Commodore Perry's arrival in Edo Bay in 1853

29Moto-Hachiman Shrine in SunamuraTorii of Moto-Hachiman Shrine, Edo Bay
30Plum Park in KameidoPlum Park in KameidoBoth in color and theme this print is related to print no. 27 ; copied by Vincent van Gogh under the title Japonaiserie: Flowering Plum Tree
31Azuma no mori Shrine and the Entwined CamphorAzuma Shrine
32The YanagishimaMyōken Hall of Hōshō-ji temple, Hashimotoya restaurant, Mount Tsukuba
33Towboas Along the Yotsugi-dōri CanalYotsugi-dōri Canal towpathUnlike in the print, the canal and towpath were absolutely straight
34Night View of Matsuchiyama and the San'ya CanalSumida River, San'ya Canal inlet, Yumeiro and Takeya restaurants, Matsuchiyama hill, Shōten ShrineOnly image in the series to depict a large human figure, purportedly the favourite geisha of Hiroshige; Shōten Shrine on the top of the hill has sexual connotations
35Suijin Shrine and Massaki on the Sumida RiverCherry tree trunk, Suijin Shrine, Sumida River, Massaki district, Mount TsukubaPeople at the bottom of the print are on the way to the Hashiba ferry
36View From Massaki of Suijin Shrine, Uchigawa Inlet, and SekiyaSumida River, Suijin Shrine, Massaki district, Mount TsukubaSimilar subject and location as no. 35
37Kilns and the Hashiba Ferry on the Sumida RiverKilns, Sumida River, Suijin Shrine, Mount TsukubaSimilar area as no. 35, 36
38Dawn Inside the YoshiwaraYoshiwaraPublished two months prior to the reopening of Yoshiwara after it burnt down in the 1855 earthquake; Hiroshige may have submitted this design and title following the suicide of two courtesans and their two lovers at dawn of the 19th day of the 4th month of 1857
39Distant View of Kinryūzan Temple and the Azuma BridgeSumida River, Azuma Bridge, Kinryūzan Temple, Mount Fuji
40Bashō's Hermitage on Camellia Hill beside the Aqueduct at SekiguchiSekiguchi Aqueduct, Bashō's Hermitage
41Hachiman Shrine in IchigayaIchigaya moat, shopping street, Hachiman ShrineDated one month after Hiroshige's death and therefore attributed to Hiroshige II by some art historians
42Cherry Blossoms on the Banks of the Tama RiverActually, the Tama River-Jōsui channel is depicted, with cherry trees far outside EdoOne of the first five prints sanctioned by the censors
43Nihonbashi Bridge and Edobashi BridgeNihonbashi, Nihonbashi River, EdobashiFish barrel with first bonito of the season represents early summer
44View of Nihonbashi itchōme StreetNihonbashi itchōme StreetShirokiya shop on the right developed into one of the city's largest department stores and finally became part of the Tokyu Group
45 Yatsumi BridgeYatsumi Bridge, Edo Castle, Mount Fuji
46 Yoroi Ferry, Koami-chōNihonbashi River, Yoroi ferry
47 Seidō and Kanda River from Shōhei BridgeShōhei Bridge, Shōheizaka hill, Kanda River, wall of Yushima SeidōExaggerated size of hill on left
48 Suidō Bridge and the Surugadai QuarterView from Surugadai, Kanda River, Suidō Bridge, Edo Castle, Mount FujiKoinobori carp streamers place the scene around the Boy's festival on the 5th day of the 5th month, the same month as the print was approved by the censors
49 Fudō Falls in ŌjiFudō Falls Hasegawa Settan
50 Kumano Jūnisha Shrine at Tsunohazu, known as "Jūnisō"Kumano Jūnisha Shrine
51 The Sannō Festival Procession at Kōjimachi itchōmeMoat and Hanzōmon Gate of Edo CastleSannō Festival was held one month prior to the approval of the print
52 The Paulownia Garden at AkasakaPaulownia Garden, Tameike Pond, Hie Shrine, residence of daimyō Kuroda from FukuokaHie Shrine is location for the Sannō Festival
53 The Pagoda of Zōjōji Temple and AkabaneZōjō-ji, Akabane Bridge, residence of daimyō Arima from Kurume
54 The Benkei Moat from Soto-Sakurada to KōjimachiSouth-west embankment and moat of Edo Castle, residence of daimyō Ii from the Hikone Domain, Kōjimachi watchtowerKōjimachi watchtower had been restored two months prior to publication after burning down in the 1855 earthquake
55 The Sumiyoshi Festival at TsukudajimaTsukudajima IslandThe Sumiyoshi Festival is held on the 29th of the sixth month, i.e., in the month prior to publication of this print; writer of the inscription is identified on the banner as the creator of the table of contents of this series, Seikengū Gengyo
56 Mannen Bridge in FukagawaMannen Bridge, Mount FujiA turtle hanging from tub's handle use for Life release.
57 Mitsumata WakarenofuchiSumida River, Mount FujiReed-covered sandbank alludes to the artificial Nakazu island, location of a famous 18th-century pleasure district that was demolished in the course of the Kansei Reforms
58 Sudden Shower over Shin-Ōhashi bridge and AtakeShin-Ōhashi bridge, Sumida River, Atake districtConsidered to be a masterpiece and possibly Hiroshige's most famous work; copied by Vincent van Gogh
59 Ryōgoku Bridge and the Great RiverbankSumida River, Ryōgoku BridgeAt the time Japan's largest bridge
60 Asakusa River, Miyato River, Great RiverbankSumida River, Mount TsukubaDepicts pilgrimage to Mount Ōyama, the pilgrim's return from the mountain is shown in no. 76; names in title are synonymous names for the depicted section of the Sumida River; in later prints, the title was simplified to: In Boats at Ryōgoku with a distant View of Asakusa
61 The "Pine of Success" and Oumayagashi on the Asakusa RiverSumida River, Oumayagashi ferryHiroshige's "Illustrated Souvenirs of Edo" contains a mirror image of this view with a woman standing upright in the boat
62 Komakata Hall and Azuma BridgeKomakata Hall, Sumida River, Azuma Bridge, Asakusa districtLesser cuckoo and Komakata Hall in the print allude to a 17th-century love poem attributed to Takao II, courtesan and lover of Date Tsunamune: Are you now, my love, near Komakata? Cry of the cuckoo!"
63 The Ayase River and KanegafuchiSumida River, Ayase RiverNorthernmost point of the Sumida river depicted in this series
64 Horikiri Iris GardenHorikiri Iris GardenInfluenced European Art Nouveau
65 Inside Kameido Tenjin ShrineDrum bridge and garden at Kameido Tenjin ShrineFlowering wisteria indicates summer season
66 The Sazaidō Hall at the Five Hundred Rakan TempleSazaidō Hall
67 The Ferry at SakasaiNakagawa River
68 Open Garden at the Hachiman Shrine in FukagawaGarden at Hachiman ShrinePrint shows both azaleas and cherry trees in blossom which is unnatural for Edo; hill in the back is one of many miniature Mount Fuji that were scattered all over Edo
69 Sanjusangendō Hall in FukagawaSanjusangendō, Kiba lumberyards About half of the hall is depicted
70 The mouth of the Nakagawa RiverOnagigawa Canal, Nakagawa River, Shinkawa CanalNakagawa River is the broad waterway in the middle running left-right
71 Scattered Pines on the Tone RiverTone River
72The Ferry at Haneda and the Benten ShrineTama River, Benten Shrine, Edo BayThe ground of the Benten Shrine is now occupied by Haneda Airport
73The City Flourishing, the Tanabata FestivalEdo Castle, Mount FujiArguably shows the view from Hiroshige's house; only print in series without a place name in the title
74Silk Shops in Ōdenma-chōDaimaru silk merchant shopsPeople depicted are carpenters
75The Dyers' Quarter in KandaKanda dye works, Edo Castle, Mount FujiKanji on first two white-blue fabrics reads "sakana" and is a reference to the publisher Sakanaya Eikichi, last two white-blue fabrics contain Hiroshige's monogram
76Bamboo Quay by Kyōbashi BridgeKyōbashi River, Kyōbashi Bridge
77Inari Bridge and the Minato Shrine in TeppōzuHatchōbori Canal, Minato Shrine, Inari Bridge, Mount Fuji
78Teppōzu and Tsukiji Monzeki TempleSumida River, Tsukiji Hongan-ji TempleLike no. 79, this print has the changed series title: Entertaining Supplements to the One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, as likely Hiroshige wanted to end this series having produced 110 plates already at the time; he resumed the original title on the publisher insisting to do so
79Shiba Shinmei Shrine and Zōjōji TempleShiba Shinmei Shrine, Zōjōji
80Kanasugi Bridge and ShibauraKanasugi BridgePrint shows pilgrims of the Nichiren sect; brown and white cloths at bottom left contain abbreviation "Uoei" of the publisher's name Sakanaya Eikichi
81Ushimachi in TakanawaTōkaidō, Edo Bay with daibaPlace name Takanawa meaning "high wheel" is symbolized by the wheel on the right and the rainbow
82Moon ViewingEdo BayApproximately same view as no. 83
83Shinagawa SusakiMeguro River, Benten Shrine, Edo Bay with daibaEstablishment depicted in no. 82 might be the one cropped in the bottom left of this print
84"Grandpa's Teahouse" in MeguroTeahouse and teastall, Mount Fuji
85Kinokuni Hill and Distant View of Akasaka and the Tameike Pondouter Benkeibori moat of Edo CastlePeople depicted are samurai
86Naitō Shinjuku in YotsuyaNaitō Shinjuku Depiction of horse dung was criticized for being vulgar; Hiroshige likely alludes to the quote: "flowers thriving on the horse dung of Yotsuya" from the 1775 book Master Flashgold's Splendiferous Dream referring to the prostitutes of Shinjuku
87Benten Shrine at the Inokashira PondBenten Shrine, Inokashira PondDepicts most western point of the series and location furthest away from central Edo
88Takinogawa in ŌjiTakinogawa, Matsubashi Benten Shrine, Kongo-ji TempleOriginal orange color of autumn color has turned brownish-black due to oxidation over time
89"Moon Pine" in UenoMoon Pine, Shinobazu Pond, Benten Shrine
90Night View of Saruwaka-machiSaruwaka-chō street with theatresNotable for the use of peoples' shadows giving the impression of puppets on a stage; the street was home to the Kabuki and marionette theatres
91In the Akiba Shrine at UkejiGarden of Akiba ShrinePeople depicted in the bottom left might be Hiroshige as a monk with painting utensils, his wife Yasu and their adopted daughter Tatsu according to Henry D. Smith
92Mokuboji Temple and Vegetable Fields on Uchigawa InletUchigawa inlet of Sumida River, Uekiya Han'emon restaurantThe Mokuboji temple mentioned in the title is close but not depicted in this print; Tokugawa Iesada had visited the restaurant one month before publication of the print
93Niijuku FerryNakagawa RiverNortheasternmost scene of the series confirmed by detailed depiction of the Edo side of the river and vagueness on the opposite bank
94The Maple Trees at Mama, the Tekona Shrine and Tsugihashi BridgeEdogawa River, Tekona Shrine, Tsugihashi BridgeOriginal orange color of autumn color has turned brownish-black due to oxidation over time
95View of Kōnodai and the Tone RiverTone River, Mount Fuji
96Horie and Nekozanebranch of the Edogawa River, Horie and Nekozane villages, Edo Bay, Mount FujiOne of the first five prints sanctioned by the censors
97"Five Pines" and the Onagi CanalOnagi CanalTree depicted is the only surviving of five pines and was at the time of Hiroshige known as "Five Pines"; Onagi Canal was in fact straight
98Fireworks by Ryōgoku BridgeSumida River, Ryōgoku Bridge
99Kinryūzan Temple in AsakusaKaminarimon, Hōzōmon and pagoda of Sensō-jiThought to commemorate the restoration of the pagoda two month prior to the publication of the print after damage suffered in the 1855 earthquake
100Nihon Embankment and YoshiwaraNihon Embankment, Yoshiwara
101Asakusa Ricefields and Torinomachi FestivalYoshiwara teahouse, Chōkoku-ji temple, Mount FujiWhite cat represents courtesan who just finished her work; the festival of the rooster is hinted at by bear's paw hairpins resembling the good luck rakes carried by pilgrims in the background
102Minowa, Kanasugi and MikawashimaMinowa, Kanasugi and Mikawashima villages
103Senju Great BridgeArakawa River, Senju Great BridgeOne of the first five prints sanctioned by the censors
104Koume EmbankmentYotsugi dōri Canal
105OumayagashiSumida RiverThe two women are yotaka, the lowest class of prostitutes whose faces were often disfigured forcing them to apply very thick make-up
106The Fukagawa LumberyardsFukagawa LumberyardsCharacter for "sakana" on the umbrella refers to Sakanaya Eikichi, the publisher of the series
107Fukagawa Susaki and JūmantsuboMount Tsukuba
108View of Shiba CoastHamarikyu Gardens, daiba, Edo BayOne of the first five prints sanctioned by the censors
109Minami Shinagawa and Samezu CoastEdo Bay, Kaian-ji temple, Mount TsukubaFishermen gather seaweed from submerged tree trunks
110"Robe-Hanging Pine" at Senzoku no ikeSenzoku no ike, "Robe-Hanging Pine", Hachiman ShrineOne of the first five prints sanctioned by the censors; Nichiren is said to have hung his monk's robe on this pine while resting
111Meguro Drum Bridge and Sunset HillDrum Bridge, Meguro RiverPublication date of this and three other prints depicting Meguro coincides with the exhibition of a Fudō Myōō icon
112Atagoshita and Yabu LaneYabu Lane, residences of the daimyōs Katō from Minakuchi and Hijikata from Komono, gate of Atago ShrineYabu Lane is to the far right beyond the bamboo thicket lining it
113Aoi Slope outside Toranomon gateAoi Slope, moat
114Bikuni Bridge in SnowBikuni Bridge, outer moat of Edo CastleBelieved to be created by Hiroshige II based on empty foreground, depiction of wall and schematic arrangement of snowflakes
115The Takata Riding GroundsTakata Riding Grounds
116Sugatami Bridge, Omokage Bridge and Jariba at TakataKanda River, Omokage Bridge, Hikawa rice field, Hikawa Shrine, Sugatami BridgeNotable for striking colors; Tokugawa Iesada crossed the Omokage Bridge in the publication month
117View from the Hilltop of Yushima Tenjin ShrineYushima Tenjin Shrine, Shinobazu Pond, Kan'ei-ji
118Kitsunebi on New Year's Night under the Enoki Tree near ŌjiEnoki tree
119View of the Paulownia Imperiales Trees at Akasaka on a Rainy EveningTameike PondWork by Hiroshige II; not always included in collections of One Hundred Famous Views of Edo; variously thought to be replacement print for no. 52, The Paulownia Garden at Akasaka, although its woodblock prints show significant wear indicating age. Alternatively a work on commission by Sakanaya Eikichi, celebrating Hiroshige II's adoption of his name and Hiroshige's seal