Utagawa Hirokage -Comic Views of Edo

The unknown artist, Utagawa Hirokage

The ukiyo-e artist, Utagawa Hirokage, is rarely recognized, even among experts in the field. However, his work has recently garnered significant attention on the social media accounts of the Ota Memorial Museum of Art.

His pieces, like a man falling dramatically on a snowy road or a “yuki daruma” (snowman) literally shaped like a daruma doll, have a comical charm that makes them instantly shareable and popular, regardless of the artist’s fame.

“Comical Views of Famous Places in Edo,” a series full of comical happenings.

He was a pupil of Utagawa Hiroshige, who is also famous for his series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō. However, his active period was short and his identity remains largely　unknown. His masterpiece is “Comical Views of Famous Places in Edo,” a series of 50 prints. It is a series that can be said to be a “comedy ukiyo-e” set at the end of Edo period (around 1853-1868). It is full of funny events from the daily lives of Edo citizens, such as a stray dog stealing their fish, a person getting a bowl of soba dumped on their head, or being tricked by a tanuki or foxes. These works are easy even for ukiyo-e beginners to enjoy. 

All 50 works are exhibited at once, and the work of HiroshigeⅡare also introduced.

The Ota Memorial Museum of Art is holding a special exhibition, showcasing all 50 pieces from the series “Comical Views of Famous Places in Edo” for the first time in eight years. Explore Hirokage’s hilarious world, from the works that went viral on social media to rare pieces you have never seen before. To provide an even richer experience, we also exhibit 20 works by another of Hiroshige’s pupils, Utagawa Hiroshige II. This exhibition will be a precious opportunity to experience the diverse world of the Hiroshige school.

Admission

Adult	1000 yen
University and High school students	700 yen
Junior High School Students and below (under 15 years old)	Free

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