東海道五十三次之内江尻三保遠望|Distant View of Miho Beach from Ejiri

ABOUT THIS WORK

In this woodblock print, a distant view of Miho Beach unfolds, captured with a quiet grandeur that draws the eye towards the horizon. The composition is structured by the gentle curve of the coastline, leading to the iconic silhouette of Mount Fuji, its peak softly outlined against the sky. Below, the expansive, calm waters reflect the light, suggesting a peaceful morning or late afternoon. The subtle gradations of color, particularly in the sky and water, create an atmospheric depth, a hallmark of the ukiyo-e tradition. This print offers a serene glimpse into a specific moment and place along the historic Tokaido Road, inviting contemplation of travel and natural beauty.

DETAILS

Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige
Date: 1824
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dimensions: 9 15/32 x 14 in. (24.1 x 35.6 cm)

ART MOVEMENTS

Ukiyo-e

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What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Pick one and we’ll show you exactly where to look.

東海道五十三次之内江尻三保遠望|Distant View of Miho Beach from Ejiri

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01

Dark pine-covered spit

Follow the long dark strip of land with pines as it stretches across the middle of the bay. It leads the eye toward the distant shore and divides the water into bands.

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02

White sails in the bay

Find the pale sails at center left, drifting among the moored boats. Their bright, clean shapes pop against the deep teal water.

2 of 5 on the painting

03

Fleet of moored boats

Look at the clusters of boats with tall bare masts at lower left and lower right. Their vertical lines break the flat water and anchor the bottom of the scene.

3 of 5 on the painting

04

Red and blue mountains

The hills on the left are built from flat reds and blues, with a pale patch of land below. Softly graded edges suggest the printer's careful control of color.

4 of 5 on the painting

05

Sails on the horizon

Scan the far horizon to the right of the mountains for tiny white sails in a row. They shrink with distance and make the bay feel wide.

5 of 5 on the painting

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THE ARTIST

Utagawa Hiroshige

1797–1858 · Japan

Utagawa Hiroshige, the last great master of ukiyo-e, transformed landscape printmaking with his poetic scenes of Edo Japan and vibrant use of color gradation.

Read Hiroshige’s full story