Japanese Woodblock Print, originally published 5/1857 in the series "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo"; the print at auction is a particularly accurate 20th century impression from recarved wood blocks

SIZE IN INCHES: oban, 10.5 x 15.5 inches

THIS DRAMATIC DESIGN has consistently been one of the most favored of the entire series, conventionally ranked with the rain at Ohashi and the Foxfires at Oji as one of the best three. Apart from the novel and daring conception, the content is universal in its appeal, much like the rain at Ohashi. Even those who have never seen a golden eagle can at least relate to the image, since it is a bird widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere and has served as an icon of power and authority in many cultures.

The particular appeal of the design lies in the contrast of the powerful embracing form of the eagle as it prepares to dive for prey and the desolate waste of the wintry marshes below, extending into the distance to the familiar snow capped form of Mount Tsukuba. As in other views with no figures, the human presence is still felt -- in the roofs huddled to the left, in the poles of the lumber yards beyond, and above all in the lone wooden bucket floating at the edge of the bay, surrounded by the dots of water birds on whom the eagle seems to have its eye.

HIROSHIGE UTAGAWA or Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858) was a Japanese artist during the 19th century and is considered the last great master of the ukiyo-e movement. His approach was more poetic and ambient than the typical ukiyo-e style, and his innovative compositions were a great influence to Western painters, such as Vincent van Gogh. The term ukiyo-e translates to "pictures of the floating world" and refers to a genre of Japanese art with a wide span of imagery such as kabuki actors, folk tales, landscapes, and even erotica. This movement was critical in forming the Western perception of Japanese art.

Fine, no flaws