November 21, 2025 – January 31, 2026
Pride of Edo: Collaboration in the Capital City
Scholten Japanese Art
Online Viewing:
https://www.scholten-japanese-art.com/Pride_of_Edo_index.php
We are pleased to announce a special Online Exhibition presenting a selection of prints from the 1864 collaborative series celebrating the famous sights and culture of the historic city, Thirty-Six Scenes of the Pride of Edo (Edo jiman sanjurokkyo), featuring figures by Utagawa Toyokuni III (Kunisada, 1786-1865), set within landscapes designed by Utagawa Hiroshige II (1826-1869).
The Pride of Edo series combines several ukiyo-e tropes: images of bijin (beautiful people, mostly women), celebrating local specialties associated with meisho (famous or popular views) of the capital. Published in the twilight of the Edo Period (1600-1868), the era named after the metropolis itself, the series captures a glimpse of the city and its denizens shortly before the dramatic pivot to modernity on the not-too-distant horizon. But until then, the Edokko (residents of Edo) are depicted going about their daily lives, visiting their favorite haunts, and enjoying the familiar entertainments offered by their hometown. Most of the locations and subjects were readily recognizable to the audience at the time, featuring familiar landmarks with figures modeling up-to-date fashions whilst on their outings about town.
