No. 37: Miyanokoshi, from the series "Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido (Kisokaido rokujukyu tsugi no uchi)"

Utagawa Yoshimori's "No. 37: Miyanokoshi" is a captivating color woodblock print from the acclaimed series "Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido." While the artwork is dated 1830, Yoshimori was born in 1830, making this attribution highly unlikely as he would have been an infant. It is more probable that this work was created later in his career, perhaps closer to the mid-19th century when he was actively producing prints. Yoshimori, also known as Taguchi Yoshimori, was a ukiyo-e artist known for his landscapes and depictions of foreign subjects, as seen in works like "View of Miyozaki in Yokohama" and "An American Sailing Ship off Arai." This print, however, focuses on a traditional Japanese landscape, showcasing a station along the Kisokaido route. The Kisokaido was one of the two main routes connecting Edo (modern-day Tokyo) with Kyoto, renowned for its scenic mountain passes and picturesque villages. Yoshimori's contribution to this series places him among other prominent ukiyo-e artists who documented these important travel routes, offering viewers a glimpse into the natural beauty and daily life along the historic highway.