Okitsu: Seigyo-ji Temple at Far Distance (Okitsu, Seigyo-ji enbo)
Japanese Woodblock Print (Ukiyo-e), Oban format • Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797-1858)
Style & Movement
Ukiyo-e, specifically landscape (fukei-ga) from the Edo period.
Medium & Technique
Ink and color on paper; polychrome woodblock print (Nishiki-e) utilizing bokashi (color gradation) in the sky and water.
Creation Period
Original set published circa 1833-1834 (Edo period); this specific impression may be a mid-20th century reprint.
Dimensions & Format
Oban landscape; approximately 25 x 37 cm (image size, excluding margins).
Subject Description
Station 18 from 'The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido' (Hoeido edition). The scene depicts two salt-carrying boats (kaisen) in the Suruga Bay with a view of Mount Fuji in the background. The Seigyo-ji temple is nestled in the wooded hillside on the left.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. Visible foxing (brown spots) in the sky area and some fading of fugitive pigments.
Estimated Market Value
$200 - $600 USD (Value varies significantly based on whether it is an original 1830s strike or a later memorial/Adachi reprint).
Auction Estimate
$150 - $400 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely purchased as a souvenir in Japan or through an estate sale. Standard publisher seals (Hoeido/Takenouchi Magohachi) are printed in the margins of original editions.
Art Historical Significance
One of the most famous series in Japanese art history, Hiroshige's Tokaido series revolutionized landscape art by focusing on the poetic atmospheric qualities of specific locations and the daily lives of travelers.
Notable Features
Includes the series title 'Tokaido gojugosantsugi no uchi' in the red cartouche and station name 'Okitsu'. Signature reads 'Hiroshige ga'.
Condition Issues
Notable foxing/oxidation across the center sky; possible light-strike (fading) from long-term exposure; slight rippling of the paper suggests it may be tacked to the mount.
Conservation Recommendations
Acid-free matting and UV-protective glazing are essential. A professional paper conservator could treat the foxing through controlled localized cleaning.