Hiroshige's Japan

A TOURING EXHIBITION FROM THE ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM OXFORD

The great Japanese landscape print designer Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) created numerous views of Mount Fuji over his career, depicting the sacred mountain from a variety of viewpoints in different seasons and weather conditions.

This exhibition presents a selection of these beautiful views of Mount Fuji from several different Hiroshige series and in different formats.

The subject of Mount Fuji shown in different seasons and weathers had been made popular in the 1830s by the Japanese artist Hokusai. 

While undoubtedly inspired by Hokusai's work, Hiroshige's later prints on the subject were not derivative. His landscapes were often gentler in mood, placing a greater emphasis on atmospheric conditions.

Hiroshige's unusual compositional skills were also a feature of his prints, in particular his fondness for balancing foreground elements with landscape backgrounds. 

Believed to be home to both Shinto and Buddhist deities, Fuji was thought to protect Edo and to ensure the prosperity of the whole country. By the early 1800s, organisations of Fuji worshippers were established in Edo and many buyers of Hiroshige's prints may have belonged to these Fuji associations.

Here a torii gate perched on the rock in the foreground emphasises the sacred nature of this spot, and of Mount Fuji in the background.

As early as the seventh century Mount Fuji was being worshipped by wandering ascetic monks who climbed the mountain as a form of worship.

Travellers along the Tokaido Road, the famous highway that linked Edo with the ancient capital of Kyoto, were granted beautiful views of Mount Fuji along many parts of the route.

At the station of Numazu Mount Fuji looms large over rice fields and travellers on the Tokaido road.

Mount Fuji also provided a majestic backdrop to travellers on the Tokaido when crossing the bridge in the village of Mishima on a cold, snowy day.

Mount Fuji is located just 90 km from Japan's capital Tokyo (formerly Edo) and on a clear day can also be seen from several points in the city.

It looms ever present in the distance over Edo's Suruga Street, which was famous for its textile shops and fine view of the mountain.

In this view of Mount Fuji from Nihonbashi Bridge the mountain is shown in colour block only, without a black outline, evoking the poor visibility of a misty rainy day. Nihonbashi bridge was considered the very centre of Edo, and all distances in Japan were measured from here. 

Asuka Hill in the north of Edo was famous for cherry blossom viewing in the spring and is still a popular blossom-viewing destination today.

This exhibition presents 21 beautiful Hiroshige prints from mid 19th century Japan.

All the works are original colour woodblock prints on paper and are mounted and framed. The exhibition selection includes 13 vertical format prints from Hiroshige's series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (1858), three landscape format prints from the series Famous Views of the Eastern Capital (1832 - 1838) and five small-format views from the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido (1840 - 42) series. Each print in this last series is inscribed with a comic poem (kyoka). For this reason it is also known as the Kyoka Tokaido.

The exhibition can be adapted to suit all venue sizes up to 150 square metres and comes with object labels and interpretation panel content and design. The exhibition is usually available to hire for a 12 week display period.

The exhibition hire fee includes:

• The selection of mounted and framed woodblock prints

• Transport of exhibition from and return to Oxford (if venue is under 140 miles from the Ashmolean), and technical installation support if required

• Object labels and text panel content and design

• The exhibition's curator will be available for a lecture at the touring venue

• A selection of three images (to be determined by the venue) for use in the venue's press and publicity

• Object preparation and condition reporting

• Tour co-ordination by the Ashmolean Museum Registrars' Department

Hiroshige's Japan: Views of Mount Fuji is a touring exhibition from the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.

All our touring exhibitions are curated by experts from the University of Oxford and based on original research. They utilise works of art and historical objects from the collections of the Ashmolean, to tell fascinating stories across cultures and time. All curators are available to give a lecture as part of the exhibition package.

Our exhibitions can be adapted to suit all venue sizes up to 150 square metres.

Our touring exhibitions team will provide expert assistance with all aspects of the exhibition, from the planning stages to the installation and beyond. We aim to build long term, mutually beneficial relationships with our touring partners.

Please contact us if you are interested in hiring, or require any further information:

Touring Exhibitions, Ashmolean Museum:

E: touring.exhibitions@ashmus.ox.ac.uk

T: 01865 288 074/197

W: www.ashmolean.org/touring