Okabe; Shimada
circa 1804
Hokusai captures the gritty reality of travel on the Tōkaidō road in this charming diptych from around 1804. On the left, we see the infamous Shimada station, where travelers faced the mighty Ōi River; because the shogunate banned bridges to stop invading armies, people had to be carried across on the backs of strong porters—you can see them wading through the water with luggage balanced precariously! On the right, at Okabe station, the mood shifts to relaxation as a weary traveler in green robes leans back while a woman in a vibrant red kimono serves him tea, a perfect reward after that river crossing. This piece showcases Hokusai's eye for everyday life and narrative storytelling long before he became famous for the Great Wave.
- Technique
- Woodblock print
- Material
- Paper