Okitsu: The Okitsu River (Okitsu, Okitsugawa), from the series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido
Japanese Woodblock Print (Ukiyo-e), Oban format • Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858)
Style & Movement
Ukiyo-e (Pictures of the Floating World)
Medium & Technique
Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper; features 'bokashi' (color gradation) in the water and sky and fine line carving
Creation Period
Original series published c. 1833–1834 (Edo Period). This specific impression appears to be a later commemorative or 20th-century edition.
Dimensions & Format
Oban landscape format; approximately 25 x 37 cm (image size)
Subject Description
Station 18 of the Tokaido road. The composition features two 'bezaisen' (coastal cargo ships) in the foreground with Mt. Fuji rising in the background over the Seikenji temple hills. A flock of plovers flies between the ships and the mountain, creating a sense of deep perspective and movement.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. Colors remain vibrant, but there is visible paper toning and slight foxing in the sky area.
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $800 (assuming it is a high-quality 20th-century reprint; significantly higher if a confirmed first edition Hoeido lifetime strike)
Auction Estimate
$200 - $500
Provenance History
Standard retail or private collection acquisition. No specific historical seals are visible beyond the integrated publisher and series marks.
Art Historical Significance
This series established Hiroshige as the preeminent landscape artist of his time. It transformed the Tokaido road from a physical path into a series of poetic, atmospheric 'snapshots' that defined the Western perception of old Japan.
Notable Features
Includes the series title (Tokaido Gojusannugi no uchi), the station name (Okitsu), and the artist signature 'Hiroshige ga' with the Ichiryusai seal. The print captures the 'station of the sea' perfectly through the balance of maritime life and sacred geography.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing (small brown spots) in the upper center, some light-staining from acidic matting, and minor rippling under the glass.
Conservation Recommendations
Remat with acid-free museum-grade board and use UV-protective glass. Store in a stable temperature environment away from direct sunlight to prevent further fading of organic pigments.