The famous, Ukiyo-e artist, printmaker, and writer left his stamp on the world of art.  Learning traditional styles and techniques, Hiroshige soon branched out to create his own style, which was considered among the greatest of all times.  Although he worked as a firefighter until age 31, he took on a new interest in art.  While Hiroshige created many unique and beautiful pieces, his landscape and scenery artwork was what he became best known for creating. 

Throughout his painting and printmaking career, Hiroshige was able to capture various life scenes in Edo unlike any other artist ever accomplished.  He was known for using vivid colors, wonderful techniques of shading and producing pieces with shine or glitter, and capturing real moments in life.  In fact, his work was so exceptional that you would marvel at the incredible detailing of everything created.  For instance, Hiroshige’s 36 Views of Mt. Fuji eventually became a favorite. 

This particular piece was published in 1858 by Tsutaya Kichizo.  In this painting, the depiction was just as the name suggests, 36 different views of the magical, Mt. Fuji.  For instance, this vertical oban format series covers this mountain from a number of vantage points to include the Misaka Pass, which is located across Lake Motosu in Kai Province, as well as the Ichikoku Bridge. 

For instance, you would notice in one of the paintings a view of Mt. Fuji from the Ichikoku Bridge, which also features a lovely willow tree.  From this view, you would be looking out from the eastern side of the Edo Castle.  The position of the viewer is standing on the north shore of the Nihonbashi River.  Then in the foreground is the Ikkokubashi Bridge, which is also known in Japan as the Yatsumi Bridge.  If you look closely, you will even notice a number of Asian travelers making their way across the bridge. 

Another beautiful feature of this painting is the view from Toto Surugachi.  In this case, two Manzai dancers are depicted as they pass by a drapery store.  With the two dancers are smaller girls, each playing the samisen and in the background, the gorgeous, Mt. Fuji.  You would also see a view of the mountain from Tsuru, from a field overflowing with Cherry trees, the Tea Water Canal, from the top of Zoshi Hill looking up from a teahouse, and from Meguro, as the viewer peers through maple trees with unbelievable fall colors. 

You will also see Mt. Fuji being viewed from across Edo from the point of the Ryugoku Bridge.  This piece of the artwork features a woman in a ferry boat talking to another woman near a willow tree as the boat passes a landing stage.  Another gorgeous view of Mt. Fuji is from the river and then through fields flowing from Koganei City to Chofu City.  Interestingly, this depiction is quite unique from the others in that the mountain can be seen through a small opening seen in an ancient Cherry tree.  Although there are many other views, these few examples show the level of detailing that Hiroshige captured in his “36 Views of Mt. Fuji.”