Comment - Magnificent image of five Edo kites flying high above the Shin-Ohashi or New Great Bridge at Fukagawa in Edo. Trailing streamers down to the railing of the bridge, the Edo kite at top center features a crashing wave and a red setting sun. The kites in the foreground are cleverly framing the peak, a  tailless Yakko kite is floating in in the background. A nobleman and a servant walk below, pausing to look out over the marshy grasses in the center of the water. At center right, a daimyo's mansion lines the street. Mt. Fuji rises in the distance above the lower foothills. A decent bokashi shading is marking the blue sky.

Hiroshige II has created some striking and memorable images of Japan's sacred mountain, including the above scene. The bridge is crossing the Sumida River, and had been rebuild after the devastating earthquake of 1855 (Great Ansei Earthquake), therfore its named "Shin" Ohashi Bridge ("New" Big Bridge, 新大橋). Bridges have been sited at that same location since 1694. The wooden bridge depicted in the print was replaced by another bridge in 1885.

Series - Hiroshige II's handsome "Thirty-six Views of Fuji" ("富士 三十六景",  Fuji Sanjūrokkei) follows the same vertical format as Hiroshige's 1858 series of the same name. Although the red title cartouche is the same, Hiroshige II's prints are signed "Rissho", the "go" or artist name he was using by this point late in his career. The red series and title cassette is in the upper right.


Artist - see Biography


Signature -  Rissho hitsu (立祥筆) (painted by Rissho) at lower left, yellow cassette


Publisher - Tsutaya Kichizô (蔦屋吉蔵) (Kôeidô 紅栄堂 publishing house), right lower margin with circular censor's seal


Image Size -   33.3 x 21.5cm (13 1/8" x 8 1/2") + margins as shown


Condition - Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, single sheet, vertical ôban, Tate-e (portrait)