Lot 219

UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (Japanese, 1797–1858). FAMOUS PLACES OF THE EASTERN CAPITAL: ILLUSTRATION OF TSUKIJI NISHIMIDO TEMPLE, CIRCA 1830S, ukiyo-e woodblock triptych

Previous image preload Next image preload

UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (Japanese, 1797–1858). FAMOUS PLACES OF THE EASTERN CAPITAL: ILLUSTRATION OF TSUKIJI NISHIMIDO TEMPLE, CIRCA 1830S, ukiyo-e woodblock triptych

Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000

Starting Bid: $1,000

(0 Bids)

by Sloans & Kenyon
August 6, 2026 11:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
5550 Friendship Boulevard
T60
Chevy Chase, MD, US 20815

UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE
Japanese, 1797–1858

ukiyo-e woodblock triptych
Unframed colour woodblock triptych depicting a sweeping bird's-eye view of Tsukiji Nishi-Mido temple, Tokyo, a branch temple of Kyoto's Nishi Hongan-ji, originally founded in Asakusa in 1617 and relocated to its present Tsukiji site in 1679 following the Great Fire of Meireki. The composition shows the temple precinct with figures amongst pine trees and traditional architecture, with Japanese text cartouches and publisher's seal. Unframed. Publisher: Tsutakichi

NOTE: The colours are remarkably fresh and vibrant. Minor defects to note include the publisher's mark at the lower edge being partially trimmed, and evidence of old repair work to the verso where minor insect damage may have occurred.

  • Provenance: PROVENANCE: Acquired in 1977 at the "Yokoyama" fine art store (located at The OKURA HOTEL shopping arcade) for JPY / ¥ 120,000 (approx. USD 750 in today's dollars).

    ARTIST PROFILE: Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) was the last great master of the Japanese ukiyo-e tradition, celebrated for transforming the genre from its typical focus on urban pleasure districts to evocative, poetic landscapes. Though born into a samurai family and serving as a fire warden in Edo, Hiroshige dedicated his life to art, eventually producing over 8,000 works that utilized labor-intensive techniques like bokashi (color gradation) to capture atmospheric changes in weather and season. He is most famous for series such as The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido and One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, which employed innovative vertical compositions and dramatic foreground framing. Despite his immense popularity and the technical brilliance of his "luxury edition" prints, Hiroshige lived in modest financial circumstances until his death during a cholera epidemic. His legacy extended far beyond Japan, profoundly influencing Western Impressionists and Post-Impressionists like Van Gogh, Monet, and Whistler, who studied his unique vantage points and subtle use of color as part of the 19th-century Japonism movement.
  • Medium: ukiyo-e woodblock triptych

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Winning bidders are responsible for arranging packaging, shipping and all associated costs. In our confirming e-mail, we will provide a list of recommended packers and shippers. The bidder is free to use any of these firms or to select another. Sloans & Kenyon assumes no liability for the bidder's selection of a shipper or the shipper's performance.

Sloans & Kenyon

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 28% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 + $1,000