Hiroshige
The full title of this print is Shinagawa Susaki, No. 83, from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo. This famous series of 119 ukiyo-e prints was begun and largely completed by the Japanese artist Hiroshige. The prints were first published in serialized form from 1856 to 1859, with Hiroshige II completing the series after Hiroshige's death. It was tremendously popular and much reprinted.
This print presents a clear and direct topographical view. The brightly illuminated second-story room in the lower left belongs to one of the Shinagawa (which was and still is a ward in the Tokyo Metropolis) brothels. The focal point of the composition, however, is the small shrine nestled among the pine trees, distinguished by its vivid red torii (gate) and lantern. Dedicated to Benten, the goddess of water, music, and literature, this shrine was known as Susaki due to its location at the tip of a narrow spit of land (susaki) extending from the mouth of the Meguro River into Edo Bay. The shrine’s symbolic role as a guardian of waterways is elegantly conveyed in this scene.
Have a calm Tuesday, everyone!
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P.P.S. Hiroshige is known for another monumental series, featuring 36 views of a certain Japanese landmark. Do you know which one? Here's the answer!