UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Lot 90 PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE JAPAN UKIYO-E MUSEUM, MATSUMOTO

UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Kanda Konya-cho (Konya-cho, the Dyer's Street in Kanda)

Closed21 March 2023

Price Realised

USD 32,760

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UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Kanda Konya-cho (Konya-cho, the Dyer's Street in Kanda)
Woodblock print, from the series Meisho Edo hyakkei (One hundred famous views of Edo), signed Hiroshige ga, published by Uoya Eikichi, 11th month 1857
Vertical oban: 14 7/8 x 10 1/8 in. (37.8 x 25.6 cm.)

Specialist note

Depicting the long strips of dyed cotton cloth hang from high drying frames. Konya-cho was known as traditionally the dying quarter of Edo in the Kanda district. A soft breeze plays through the bottom of the hanging strips creating movement. The idea of Fuji partially hidden by strips of drying cloth was originated by Hokusai’s 'One Hundred Views of Mt Fuji'.
The rich gradated bands of deep blue in three places of the central strips of mid-blue, the strips printed in brown and additional areas of subtle gradation at the bottom of the fences, on the distant roof and along the tops of the hills around Mt. Fuji, and the thick, creamy paper all denote a first edition.