Enjoy our Counted Cross Stitch Charts Patterns inspired by the works of Utagawa Hiroshoge.

Andō Hiroshige, also known as Utagawa Hiroshoge; 1797 –1858), was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist, and one of the last great artists in that tradition.  Hiroshige was a member of the Utagawa School, along with Kunisada and Kuniyoshi. The Utagawa School comprised dozens of artists, and stood at the forefront of 19th century woodblock prints. Particularly noteworthy for their actor and historical prints, members of the Utagawa School were nonetheless well-versed in all of the popular genres. During Hiroshige’s time, the print industry was booming, and the consumer audience for prints was growing rapidly. Prior to this time, most print series had been issued in small sets, such as ten or twelve designs per series. Increasingly large series were produced to meet demand, and this trend can be seen in Hiroshige’s work, such as The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaidō and One Hundred Famous Views of Edo. In terms of style, Hiroshige is especially noted for using unusual vantage points, seasonal allusions, and striking colors. In particular, he worked extensively within the realm of meisho-e  pictures of famous places. During the Edo period, tourism was also booming, leading to increased popular interest in travel.