UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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.