Comment - View of Kasumigaseki (霞ヶ関眺望) shows a lovely morning view of Kasumigaseki Street (today 'Kasumigaseki-zaka'), on New Year's Day. The rooftops of Edo can be seen in the distance, with sails dotting the ocean beyond. Celebrants make their way up the slope. A bubble pipe player entertains the people. The street is lined by the guardhouse of residence of Asano, formerly samurai barracks of the Kuroda clan. The street is leading directly to Edo Bay. Worker transport a "Kadomatsu" gate pine tree, indicateing a setting around New Year. Beautiful view from Hiroshige's "Famous Places in Edo", with a decent bokashi shading.

The 1918 reprint has more clear colours and features, but the setting is identical. The 'Original Version' contains several Edo Kites, but no bubbles from a pubble pipe-player.


Series - "Famous Places in Edo" (Koto Meisho or Toto Meisho, 江都名所). More about HIROSHIGE's series are to be found here.


Artist - see Biography


Signature -  Hiroshige ga (広重画) upper right


Publisher - Yamamoto-ya Heikichi (山本屋平吉), Eikyūdō Publisher's (栄久堂) (different from version with kites)


Image Size - 21.9  x  34.3 cm    (8 5/8" x 13 1/2")


Condition - single sheet; nishiki-e (cloured woodblock); Horizontal ôban; Yoko-e ('landscape');



(compare different versions)