Okitsu: Seigiyama and the Seigiji Temple (Okitsu, Seigisan Seigiji), from the series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido
Japanese Woodblock Print (Ukiyo-e), Oban size horizontal format • Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797–1858)
Style & Movement
Ukiyo-e, late Edo period landscape tradition
Medium & Technique
Polychrome woodblock print (Nishiki-e); ink and color on paper featuring Bokashi (color gradation) in the sky and water
Creation Period
Original set published circa 1833-1834 (Edo period); this specific example likely a later 19th or early 20th-century impression/re-strike
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 25 x 37 cm (standard Oban size); landscape orientation
Subject Description
Station 18 of the Tokaido road. A large junk ship with a striped sail dominates the foreground, while a smaller vessel is visible in the distance. The background features the iconic silhouette of Mount Fuji rising behind the hills of Okitsu and the Seigiji Temple. Plover birds fly across the center sky, adding a sense of movement.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. Visible fading of the more fugitive pigments and notable foxing/spotting in the sky area.
Estimated Market Value
USD $300 - $800 (Value varies significantly based on whether this is a lifetime Hoeido edition or a Meiji-era re-carved edition)
Auction Estimate
USD $200 - $500
Provenance History
Unknown. Contains standard series cartouche 'Tokaido Gojusannugi-no-uchi' and publisher marks (originally Hoeido), though this impression displays characteristics of later archival or tourist-market re-strikes.
Art Historical Significance
This series established Hiroshige as the preeminent landscape artist of his time, rivaling Hokusai. It revolutionized the Ukiyo-e genre by focusing on poetic atmosphere and the shifting conditions of nature rather than just urban figures.
Notable Features
Includes the vertical series title cartouche on the right and the artist’s signature 'Hiroshige ga' on the left. The composition is noted for its balanced triangular elements between the ship’s sail and Mount Fuji.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing (brown spots) scattered across the sky; tonal shift due to light exposure; moderate paper toning; reflections in the photo suggest it is currently under glass.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional de-acidification and cleaning for foxing recommended. Should be mounted with acid-free materials and kept behind UV-protective glass away from direct sunlight.