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 and four Edo kites ("Edo-tako", "江戸凧") fly overhead. Musicians entertain the people. A small red Yakko kite ("yakko dako", "奴凧") is to be seen directly over the rooftops of the city (center). 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. "Kadomatsu" gate pines and "manzai" stand-up comedians and a lion dancer indicate 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 'Bubble Version' contains no Edo Kites, but bubbles from a pubble pipe-player.


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


Artist - see Biography


Signature -  Hiroshige ga (広重画) center left


Publisher - Sanoya Kihei (佑野屋喜兵衛), Kikakudô Publisher's (喜霍堂), by seal;  circular censor' seal Tanaka (田中) above fragment of publisher's seal (different from version with bubbles)


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)