Hiroshige's Mariko
Title: Mariko
Artist: Ando Hiroshige (active ca. 1790-1823)
Series: The 53 Stations of the Tokaido (Kyoka series - each print has a comic poem or Kyoka)
Signature: Hiroshige ga
Dated: originally in Edo period (late 1830's), this is a re-carved edition in 1920's
Format: Chuban yoko-e
Width: 24.5 cm
Height: 18.5 cm
Mariko was the 20th station on the Tokaido road, famous for its grated yam soup (tororo-jiru). Hiroshige’s depiction of this station in the "Kyoka" series focuses on the charm of roadside rest stops. This early 20th-century re-carved edition allows collectors to appreciate the delicate line work and vibrant pigments of the original Edo-period design. Hiroshige was known for his "humanistic" approach to landscapes, often populating his scenes with relatable figures engaged in the everyday activities of travel.
