Lake Suwa

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.

1856

He becomes a Buddhist monk

In 1856 Hiroshige “retired from the world”, becoming a Buddhist monk; this was the year he began his “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo”.

1856–1858

One Hundred Views of Edo: a priest pays up front

His great “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” was paid for up front by a wealthy Buddhist priest in love with the daughter of the publisher Uoya Eikichi, a former fishmonger. Hiroshige was usually poorly paid per series, yet he remained capable of remarkable art when the conditions were right.

12 October 1858

Died