Dragon in clouds

1809–1832

Post: dōshin

1828

He declines to succeed Toyohiro

On the death of his master Toyohiro in 1828, Hiroshige declined an offer to succeed him.

1829–1830

The turn to landscape: “Eight Views of Ōmi”

Until then Hiroshige had worked in the usual ukiyo-e themes: book illustrations, beauties and kabuki actors. It was not until 1829–1830 that he began to produce the landscapes he is known for, such as the series “Eight Views of Ōmi”, and he also made an increasing number of bird and flower prints.

1832

Journey to Kyoto along the Tōkaidō

As a fire warden he was entitled to minor privileges reserved for low-ranking samurai, which is how he secured an invitation to join an official procession to Kyoto and travelled the Tōkaidō route linking the two capitals. He sketched the scenery along the way.

October 1838

Death of his first wife, who had helped fund his travels

Hiroshige's first wife, who had helped finance his trips to sketch travel locations, once selling some of her clothing and ornamental combs, died in October 1838.

after October 1838

Second marriage: Oyasu from Tōtōmi Province

After his first wife's death Hiroshige remarried to Oyasu, sixteen years his junior, the daughter of a farmer named Kaemon from Tōtōmi Province.