Hiroshige’s “Edo Hyaku”: Perspectives of Landscape Ukiyo-e Prints in Portrait Layout

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October 12th, 2021 @ 11:30 am - 4:30 pm EDT

|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every week that begins at 11:30 am on Tuesday and Thursday, repeating until April 21st, 2022

One event on April 9th, 2022 at 11:30 am

Cost: Free
Details »

To book a visit to see this exhibition, please take a look at the guidelines and acknowledgement page:

Book Your Visit Here

Edo Hyaku”, One Hundred Famous Views of Edo 名所江戸百景 (Meisho Edo Hyakkei) is a series of over one hundred woodblock prints designed by Hiroshige (1797–1858) , which began to be published in 1856 and was completed in 1859 after Hiroshige’s death. Compassion and nostalgic affection of Hiroshige to his own home town Edo, now known as Tokyo, is evident in the Edo Hyaku print series. A previous exhibition at The Japan Foundation, Toronto in 2019 of Edo Hyaku” approached this masterpiece from the viewpoint of its serene, poetic expressions, which were based on Hiroshige’s emotional input to his own city. The exhibition focused on the theme of snow and moon, displaying other Edo city portrayal pieces by Hiroshige.

In order to cover the huge amount of works omitted from our previous exhibition, we switch our focus to cherry blossoms and boats on water for our new exhibition. We are also examining Hiroshige’s final years, which is characterized by the use of tall portrait layout in landscape paintings. Linear perspectives and the expression of depth and distance are the keys to unfold the visual wealth of Hiroshige’s late pieces.

A masterpiece of this period, consisting of a trio of triptychs known as, Snow, Moon, and Flower (1857) is on display, along with pieces from the series Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces (1853–56).

The artworks on display are reproductions, not off-set prints from photography, but are re-carved and hand-printed in the traditional method based on historical research. We also display jigsaw puzzles of Hiroshige prints. During the course of quarantine each small piece of these puzzles has drawn our attention to the details of the artwork; as well, each assembly clarified the composition.  Enjoy the urban splendour and excitement of Edo and the natural phenomenon of Japan in meticulously sophisticated woodblock prints.

Admission: FREE

Gallery Hours: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM • 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Monday CLOSED
Tuesday OPEN
Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday OPEN
Friday CLOSED
Saturday (April 9 & 30 only) OPEN 
Sunday CLOSED

*Due to COVID-19 precautions, we are limiting visitation to 4 timeslots per day, 2 days per week (with the exception of 2 Saturdays every month). Book your visit here.

Proof of Vaccination: We take the health and safety of our patrons and staff very seriously. We are working to ensure a safe reopening according to public health guidelines. We ask that you show your receipt of COVID-19 vaccination at the entrance. Please also wear facial covering at all times while you are on the premises. Hand sanitizers will be available for your convenience.

For proof of vaccination requirements for your JFT Library visits, please find out more here.


JFT Library’s Physical Books & ebooks about Ukiyo-e: Japanese Woodblock Prints

Dive deeper into the world of Hiroshige’s art by checking out JFT library’s physical books and ebooks on Japanese woodblock prints available at JF OverDrive. Learn about Hiroshige before or after visiting our current gallery exhibition.

Apply for a new library card or renew your expired card here.


Details

Starts:
October 12th, 2021 @ 11:30 am
Ends:
October 12th, 2021 @ 4:30 pm
Event Category:
Cost:
Free

Organizer

The Japan Foundation, Toronto
Phone:
416-966-1600
Email:
info_jftoronto@jpf.go.jp
Website:
View Organizer Website

Venue

The Japan Foundation, Toronto
2 Bloor St. East, 3rd Floor
Toronto, ON M4W 1A8 Canada
+ Google Map
Phone:
416-966-1600
Website:
View Organizer Website