The connection between Kunisada and Hiroshige as appearing in the Bijin Toukaidou scenery

Introduction of the Exhibition

The Fifty-three Stations of the Toukaidou series painted by Utagawa Kunisada, who was also known as Utagawa Toyokuni III, is called the Bijin Toukaidou, because of its portraits of various beautiful women (bijin) against the background of stations on the Toukaidou Highway. Many of the background scenes echo those in The Fifty-three Stations of the Toukaidou by Utagawa Hiroshige, also known as Hoeido Toukaidou. This exhibition displays both prints from the Bijin Toukaidou and Hoeido Toukaidou (reprinted edition) so visitors can compare the two and discover their mutual similarities and differences.

The series Fifty-three Stations of the Toukaidou Corner

Fujisawa from the series “Fifty-three Stations of the Toukaidou Highway”

Fujisawa Inn Corner

Hakone, from the series “Fifty-three Stations of the Toukaidou Highway”

Enoshima Corner

True View of Enoshima Island of Sagami Province

Special Exhibition Corner

Kyoto, from the series “Fifty-three Stations of the Toukaidou Highway”