print
- Museum number
- 1906,1220,0.567
- Title
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Object: Settsu Ajigawa-guchi Tenpozan 摂州阿治川口 天保山 (Mt. Tenpo at the Mouth of the Aji River, Settsu)
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Series: Shokoku meikyo kiran 諸国名橋奇覧 (Wondrous Views of Famous Bridges in Various Provinces)
- Description
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Colour woodblock print. Bridges crossing river at foot of Mt. Tenpo and emptying into the sea. 1 of 3.
- Production date
- 1834 (circa)
- Dimensions
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Height: 25.90 centimetres
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Width: 38 centimetres
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
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Tempozan ("Mountain of the Tempo era") was an artificial hill constructed by public works to prevent silting at the mouth of the Aji (Yodo) River, where it entered Osaka Bay. Work was completed in 1832. A lighthouse was built, bridges connected the island to the mainland and tourists were encouraged to come from the city to enjoy teahouses along the water - to help tred down the earth, it was said! This view is to the west, towards Osaka Bay, and the print is unusual in the series in that it does not feature one large bridge. The inscription "A Picture of Osaka at Special Request", suggests that Hokusai was encouraged to add this typical view to the planned series. (label copy, TTC, 1997)
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Clark 2017
Mt Tenpō was an artificial hill constructed in 1832
from the silt generated by a major dredging of the
mouth of the Aji river in Osaka. Boasting fine views,
it immediately became a bustling tourist attraction.
Unusually, Hokusai added the notation ‘using a picture
of Osaka, at special request’. This made it clear that
his design was based on a picture drawn in Osaka, but
he may also have been concerned that the print does
not feature a famous bridge and that his originality
would not be evident. The request surely came from
the publisher, Nishimuraya Yohachi, who was also
involved in the spring of 1834 in the publication of an
album by Yashima Gakutei (?1786–1868) of famous
places in Osaka, including views of Mt Tenpō. He
must have hoped for cross-sales between the two works.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
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2017 6 Oct - 19 Nov, Osaka, Abeno Harukas Art Museum
- Acquisition date
- 1906
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1906,1220,0.567
- Additional IDs
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Miscellaneous number: B163