Mannen Bridge, Fukagawa (Fukagawa Mannenbashi), No. 56 from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo
Utagawa Hiroshige
Asian Art
This print suggests a visual and verbal play between the turtle as a conventional symbol of longevity in Chinese and Japanese lore and the name of the bridge, Mannen, which means "ten thousand years." The turtle may also refer to the bridge's location in the Fukagawa district, where turtles were bred for sale as pets. Moreover, it was a common custom in Edo for breeders of eels, carp, and turtles to offer their wares near bridges, for release into the rivers or canals below in hope of building up positive karma.
MEDIUM
Woodblock print
DATES
11th month of 1857
PERIOD
Edo Period, Ansei Era
DIMENSIONS
Sheet: 14 1/4 x 9 5/16 in. (36.2 x 23.6 cm)
Image: 13 3/8 x 9 in. (34 x 22.9 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Publisher: Shitaya Uo Ei. Date and censor seals in top margin.
SIGNATURE
Hiroshige-ga
COLLECTIONS
Asian Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
30.1478.56
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
In the foreground of this complex, closely framed scene is a baby turtle dangling from its vendor's leash and beyond is a section of the railing of Mannen Bridge, which lay at the entrance to the Onagi Canal (see prints 70 and 97 of this series), running though the Fukugawa district, where turtles were bred for sale as pets. It was a common custom in Edo for breeders of turtles to offer their wares near well traveled bridges for release into the rivers or canals below, a commercialized version of a Buddhist ritual, a "releasing of life" ceremony. The turtle was a conventional symbol of longevity in Chinese and Japanese lore; the title of the bridge, "10,000 years" (Mannen), also refers to longevity.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797–1858). Mannen Bridge, Fukagawa (Fukagawa Mannenbashi), No. 56 from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, 11th month of 1857. Woodblock print, Sheet: 14 1/4 x 9 5/16 in. (36.2 x 23.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Anna Ferris, 30.1478.56 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 30.1478.56_PS20.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 30.1478.56_PS20.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2023
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