Title : Fujikawa: Böbana (The Boundary Marker) (Station #38)

Artist : Utagawa Hiroshige

Date : c. 1833 - 1834

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : The bar standing in the middle is the boundary marker between Fujikawa and Okazaki, the next station. Two sign boards are also standing next to the bar, indicating which samurai groups are staying at this station. Thus, when important people were either staying at or passing through a station, this information was broadcast via these signs. The samurai were welcomed by people at each station. Fujikawa (Station 38): Böbana (The Boundary Marker) is an exceptional example of Hiroshige’s use of color, and the print exhibits very little fading, a rarity in ukiyo-e prints. Unfortunately, the print had been laid down, or glued, entirely to a secondary sheet of non-archival paper. This backing was successfully removed so that the print can be observed on the verso, an important consideration for ukiyo-e scholars. The backing removal is a laborious process that requires patience and careful observation in order to remove the deleterious backing papers and unknown adhesives without disturbing either the ink colorants or paper fibers. (from Washi in the Floating World exhibition 10/18/2004-)

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