Title : Changing Porters and Horses at Fujieda (Station #23)

Artist : Utagawa Hiroshige

Date : c. 1833 - 1834

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : The twenty-third station on the Tökaidö, Fujieda is located in what is currently Shizuoka Prefecture. This print depicts porters loading baggage that seems to belong to the samurai figure standing slightly off center, to the right. His samurai status is revealed by his black outer robe, which bears white family crests on the chest and arm. Government officials usually carried their traveling certificate (shuinjö), and thus did not have to pay for porters, horses, or palanquins. Meanwhile, commoners had to pay a fixed fee for these services. The Tökaidö stations bustled with activity as travelers of all classes passed through them. ("The Tôkaidô Road: Connecting Japan" exhibition Nov/26/2009-Jan/24/2010)

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