One Hundred Famous Views of Edo No.36Suijin woods, inlet and Sekiya village viewed from Masaki vicinity

This print is of scenery looking from Masaki town on the west bank of the Sumida River to Suijin woods on the east bank. In Japanese, “masaki” means “the first in everything”. The town’s name was also derived from its location, a head of land (“saki”) facing the Sumida River.
Masaki Inari Shrine was located in the town, and because it had such a lucky word in its name, it attracted many superstitious people who wished to bring prosperity to their families. Along this section of the riverbank stood many restaurants, teahouses and taverns from which the guest could view the scenery of both sides of the river.
Hiroshige dined at the most famous restaurant, Kinoeneya, and looked out of the window to observe the scenery. His impression was materialized in this print. Looking through the round window, the nearest object is an apricot tree which puts forth tiny white, pink and red flowers in early spring. The boat with the red roof is used by people who wish to go on an excursion on the river. In the middle of the river is a man poling a raft, transporting timber to the market at the mouth of the river. The woods with a shrine in its midst on the other side of the river is Suijin woods. A torii gate can be seen standing in front of the woods. The torii gate is the entrance to the shrine. A small inlet can be seen to the left of the shrine. On the south bank of the inlet and behind the shrine stood Mokuboji Temple. On the north bank of the inlet is a village called Sekiya no Sato, where there was once a barrier (“seki”) to check highway travellers. Beyond the village and in the far distance is Mt. Tsukuba. A flock of wild geese are flying across the sky.
This print, with a semicircular section showing a different picture in it, was copied by French Late Impressionist Paul Gauguin in his “La Belle Angele” (portrait of Madame Satre).