Hiroshige & Eisen. The Sixty-Nine Stations along the Kisokaido

The Kisokaido route was officially established in the early 17th century by Tokugawa Ieyasu, Japan's ruler at the time. He mandated the setup of staging posts along this challenging path that connected Edo (now Tokyo) and Kyoto. To serve the needs of the travelers, inns, shops, and restaurants were built, offering rest and nourishment. In 1835, the famed woodblock print artist Keisai Eisen was tasked with illustrating this journey. He created 24 prints before Utagawa Hiroshige took over and completed the total of 70 prints in 1838. Both artists were celebrated masters in their field. In "The Sixty-Nine Stations along the Kisokaido," their unique styles as well as their shared artistry are evident. Eisen's work, starting from the bustling Nihonbashi to Iwamurata, focuses on more subdued colors and detailed portrayals of figures, particularly elegant women, capturing vivid moments, such as shoeing a horse or winnowing rice. Hiroshige, in contrast, displays his prowess in depicting landscapes through grand and moving scenes, whether along the serene banks of the Ota River, the daunting Wada Pass, or the moonlit paths between Yawata and Mochizuki. Collectively, "The Sixty-Nine Stations" is more than just an exemplary collection of woodblock prints with daring compositions and innovative use of color; it is also a delightful depiction of 19th-century Japan, preceding its industrial change. This TASCHEN edition is derived from one of the best-preserved original first editions, bringing this historic series back to life in a special compact anniversary format.