Title : Misaka Pass in Kai Province

Artist : Utagawa Hiroshige

Date : 1859

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : The “enchanted window” of Hiroshige’s print world is evident in this composition of travelers on a path leading them to a lake on the far side of Misaka Pass, providing them with a magnificent view of Mt. Fuji. The artist creates a pathway in the near ground with a lone pine on the top of the pass to the right. Beyond the blue expanse of Lake Kawaguchi is the imposing and rougher north side of Mt. Fuji. The blue bokashi at the top of the print has a delicate gradation that emphasizes the very white form of Fuji. Hiroshige was a master at creating a framework with which to view the natural world. Although not precisely the view that the visitor would see in crossing the pass, this composition has enough of the natural view to be a convincing rendering of the experience of seeing the mountain from the pass. (from “View from an Enchanted Window: Hiroshige and Mt. Fuji” exhibition, 3/16/2006-)

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