Dawn at Kanda Myojin Shrine, No. 10 in One Hundred Famous Views of Edo
Utagawa Hiroshige
Asian Art
For lyrical effect, Hiroshige often chose a quiet moment rather than a time of high activity. Here he offers a side view of Kanda Myōjin—the unofficial shrine of the citizenry of Edo—in the cool dawn, when the benches of the outdoor teahouse lie empty. Only a corner of the vermillion shrine building is visible. The three figures, all keepers of Kanda Myōjin, look out over the city, anticipating the day's activities.
MEDIUM
Woodblock print
DATES
9th month of 1857
PERIOD
Edo Period, Ansei Era
DIMENSIONS
Image: 13 1/4 x 8 7/8 in. (33.7 x 22.5 cm)
Sheet: 14 13/16 x 9 3/16 in. (37.6 x 23.3 cm) (show scale)
SIGNATURE
Hiroshige-ga
COLLECTIONS
Asian Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
30.1478.10
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Anna Ferris
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1930, provenance not yet documented; by 1930, acquired by Anna Ferris of Summit, NJ; 1930, gift of Anna Ferris to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Three figures pause to contemplate the glow of the eastern horizon over a mass of gray roofs below. The place is Kanda Myojin, considered to be the patron shrine of the citizenry of Edo, sharing its honors only with Hie Sanno Shrine (see pl. 51), in the dawn, when the benches of the outdoor teahouse lie empty. The three figures are all keepers of the shrine: a priest to the left, followed by a shrine maiden (miko) and an attendant as they begin their morning rounds. The view over the city, its low horizon back-lit by the rising sun, suggests the watchfulness of Kanda Myojin and its patron deity, the fearful Taira Masakado, over the fortunes of all Edo. The robes of the priest involve three separate bokashi gradations, while the overgarment (hifu) of the miko bears a fine printed cloud pattern, the white of the robes on the figures to the right is executed in fabric printing.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797–1858). Dawn at Kanda Myojin Shrine, No. 10 in One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, 9th month of 1857. Woodblock print, Image: 13 1/4 x 8 7/8 in. (33.7 x 22.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Anna Ferris, 30.1478.10 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 30.1478.10_PS20.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 30.1478.10_PS20.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2023
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