HIROSHIGE Japanese Woodblock Print HAKONE BANDIT'S HAVEN

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HIROSHIGE Japanese Woodblock Print HAKONE BANDIT'S HAVEN ANDO HIROSHIGE HakoneNumber 11 from the series The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Date: originally published c. 1831-4, this is a pre-war 20th century printing Size: oban , approx. 15.5" x 10.5" Condition: Fine, no flaws, uncirculated print, never framed Impression: Fine, crisp key lines and registration Color: VG, deep saturated color with bleed through to verso Documentation: The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Heibonsha Ltd, 1960, print 11 Provenance: from the estate of Robert O. Muller THE MOST DIFFICULT SECTION OF THE TOKAIDO was the pass at Hakone, which was about nine miles from Odawara, and which was approachable only by a steep mountain path. The road itself was dangerous, and travelers ran the added risk of falling victim to bandits who chronically harassed the area. As a compensation, however, there wee scenic splendors on a dazzling scale, as well as a large number of magnificent hot sprints, warmed by the subterranean fires of the dormant Mt. Fuji. When one had finally climbed to Hakone proper, one could look out over the clear waters of Lake Ashi (often called Lake Hakone) toward Fuji's awe-inspiring peak or rest under the huge trees of the forest that surrounded Hakone Shrine. The Tokugawa government made use of the topography in this area in its system of travel control. Near the shores of Lake Ashi there was a government barrier where all travelers were examined. The government was particularly concerned with preventing firearms from being brought into the Edo region and women of the samurai class from going out. The purpose was to prevent revolt � firearms might be used against the government in Edo, and the womenfolk of provincial feudatories made excellent hostages so long as they were in the capital. Ordinary commoners could apparently pass the government barrier with little difficulty, but the officials were much stricter with members of the warrior class. Barriers of the same sort were maintained all over Japan, but the one at Hakone was the most famous. Its remains are still to be seen today.Experts and amateurs alike have searched in vain for the exact spot from which Hiroshige saw the scene shown in this print. Most likely it does not exist, for it was the mark of Hiroshige's genius that he altered natural scenery to suit his compositional needs. Though in reality one would expect the high mountains in the foreground to be one the left side of Fuji, he apparently decided that the effect would be more dramatic it they were on the right. That notwithstanding, the picture seems startlingly real to anyone who has visited Hakone. VISIT OUR EBAY STORE FOR MORE WOODBLOCK PRINTS AND BOOKS ABOUT WOODBLOCK ARTISTS Please feel free to email us through the eBay message system with any questions. WE PREFER PAYPAL, but in the event that you do not have a Paypal account we will accept payment through the mail. Please contact us through eBay for the mailing address. Items purchased will be shipped only to the address on the eBay account. State of New York residents are required to pay 7.375% sales tax. International If payment has not been received within 10 days of the end of the purchase, a Non-Paying Bidder report will be filed with eBay unless other arrangements have been made with the seller. SHIPPING - Domestic shipping costs are listed on the item's eBay page. Domestic U.S. buyers may combine prints (sorry NOT BOOKS or books with prints) purchased within a 7-day period. Additional prints shipped domestically are $2.00 each. International shipping costs are listed on the item's eBay page, and additional prints shipped internationally are $4.00 each. When combining prints into one shipment the highest shipping rate applies plus any additional item fees as listed on the auction page. This includes items listed as free shipping when combined with items requiring postage. Seller is not responsible for any customs fees or VAT that may be incurred by inter... read more

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