Who painted Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces: Mutsu Province: View of Matsushima with a Distant Prospect of Mount Tomi, and when?

Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces: Mutsu Province: View of Matsushima with a Distant Prospect of Mount Tomi is by Utagawa Hiroshige, made in 1853 (Kaei 6). Medium: Woodblock print (ukiyo-e).

Where can I see Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces: Mutsu Province: View of Matsushima with a Distant Prospect of Mount Tomi?

It is held by Tokyo National Museum, National Diet Library. Exhibitions change, so check each museum's information before you visit.

Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces ・ 28

Mutsu Province: View of Matsushima with a Distant Prospect of Mount Tomi

六十余州名所図会陸奥松島風景富山眺望之略図

This print looks down on Matsushima Bay in Mutsu Province from a high vantage point. Islands large and small float on an indigo sea, with white-sailed boats passing among them. Each island is labeled with its name in small writing, giving the print the charm of a sightseeing map.

Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige
Date: 1853 (Kaei 6)
Medium / format: Woodblock print (ukiyo-e)
Series: Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces 69 prints
Place depicted: Matsushima（Miyagi）

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About this work

A pine-covered hill lies across the bottom edge in the foreground, and beyond it the sea stretches back, dotted with green islands and rocks. A few boats with white sails sit in the middle, with small boats scattered here and there. In the distance, islands and the opposite shore overlap, and a low range of mountains runs along the horizon.

The sea is layered in shades of indigo from front to back, and the lower edge of the sky glows yellow, suggesting morning or evening light. Island names are written in katakana beside the islands, so, as the word "sketch map" in the title suggests, the print serves as both a landscape and a map.

Together with Amanohashidate in Tango and Miyajima in Aki, Matsushima is known as one of the Three Views of Japan, and in the Edo period it was the leading attraction of the Tohoku region. Basho also visited it on the journey recorded in The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Mount Tomi, named in the title, lies to the north of the bay and is known for its view over the whole bay from around Daigyo-ji temple on its summit.

The series also includes Amanohashidate (Tango) and Itsukushima (Aki), so viewers can compare the Three Views of Japan. The National Diet Library also holds an impression with the same composition. Writing in the island names is a device unique to this print, letting viewers confirm each island's name and enjoy the feeling of a journey.

The place today

Matsushima is the area of bay centered on Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, with more than 260 islands, and it was designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty in 1952. The view from Mount Tomi is called "Reikan" and counts as one of the Four Great Views of Matsushima. Sightseeing boats also tour among the islands.

Where can I see it?

Exhibitions change over time. Check each museum's exhibition information before you visit.

Museums that hold this work

Tokyo National Museum
Taito City, Tokyo　Accession no. A-12499-221
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National Diet Library
Chiyoda City, Tokyo　Accession no. 寄別1-9-2-4
Included in Dai Nihon Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue
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Museums abroad

Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago　Accession no. 1965.973
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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces: Mutsu Province: View of Matsushima with a Distant Prospect of Mount Tomi, and when?: Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces: Mutsu Province: View of Matsushima with a Distant Prospect of Mount Tomi is by Utagawa Hiroshige, made in 1853 (Kaei 6). Medium: Woodblock print (ukiyo-e).
What place does Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces: Mutsu Province: View of Matsushima with a Distant Prospect of Mount Tomi show?: It shows Matsushima (Miyagi).
Where can I see Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces: Mutsu Province: View of Matsushima with a Distant Prospect of Mount Tomi?: It is held by Tokyo National Museum, National Diet Library. Exhibitions change, so check each museum's information before you visit.