Tokaido Road Prints Appraisal

Utagawa Hiroshige Mitsuke: Tenryugawa View (from The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido)

This item is a framed Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print, specifically identifying as 'Mitsuke: Tenryugawa View' (Mitsuke: Tenryugawa zu), station number 29 from the world-renowned series 'The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido' by Utagawa Hiroshige. The composition features two ferry boats on the Tenryu River, with travelers preparing to cross. The print displays the characteristic soft bokashi (color gradation) in the sky and water, conveying a misty, early morning atmosphere. The piece is approximately 9 by 14 inches (Oban size) and is matted in dark green with a significant white border. It is housed in a decorative faux-bamboo wooden frame, which suggests a mid-20th-century mounting style. The print contains integrated cartouches and seals typical of the Hoeido edition, though the level of clarity suggests it may be a high-quality later 20th-century reprint or a Shōwa-era edition rather than a 19th-century first state. Condition-wise, the paper shows overall toning/browning, consistent with age or exposure to non-acid-free materials. There are no major visible tears or creases, but some minor foxing may be present. The craftsmanship reflects the intricate process of multi-block woodcut printing, with delicate line work in the figures and boat architecture.