1857
This canal was created in the seventeenth century to supply drinking water to the Fukagawa area. In Hiroshige’s time a regular passenger-boat service emerged as a pleasant shortcut for Edo travelers heading northeast. This was the only towboat canal in Edo, and hence it enjoyed some distinction. Although the canal followed an absolutely straight line, Hiroshige depicted it with artistic license. The dramatic curves lend a sense of Western perspective seldom encountered in the series.
Source: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/121647
I don’t know anything about this, but I’m guessing that canal was built with straight manual labor and shovels. Impressive that people back then thought to do things like that. I imagine it took a really long time, energy, and pain/soreness to complete the project.
I can’t help but wonder what happens when the two boats being pulled come together. Does one of the men go under the other’s rope? If so, who decides who does what? If they don’t get it right, the ropes will get tangled. That can’t be good for business…
It’ll be the Ever Given all over again.
What do you call this genre of art please?
Woodblock printing, or more specifically, ukiyo-e according to Wikipedia.
Thanks.
I find them calming and I like.the little red banner that they often include.
