Here is the English translation for HIROSHIGE II. I have chosen terminology that highlights his role as a "bridge" artist between the traditional Edo period and the modernizing influence of the Yokohama-e era.
English Translation
HIROSHIGE II was a pupil of Utagawa Hiroshige who succeeded to his master’s professional name. Originally known as Shigenobu, he adopted the name "Hiroshige" following his master’s death. He primarily produced landscape prints, continuing the artistic lineage and style established by his predecessor.
The works of Hiroshige II largely follow the compositions and subject matter of the first Hiroshige, depicting famous sites (meisho), highways, and urban scenery. While his use of perspective, spatial arrangement, and rendering of sky and water retain the characteristically gentle emotional resonance of the Hiroshige style, his overall expression is often described as more distinct and decorative.
Reflecting the historical backdrop of the late Edo period (Bakumatsu), his work is also notable for depicting new cities like Yokohama and the burgeoning influence of foreign cultures. This introduced a sense of novelty and contemporary relevance that differed from traditional landscape prints. His work continues to be cherished today for capturing the shifting atmosphere of a Japan in transition from the Edo to the Meiji era.
English Translation
HIROSHIGE II was a pupil of Utagawa Hiroshige who succeeded to his master’s professional name. Originally known as Shigenobu, he adopted the name "Hiroshige" following his master’s death. He primarily produced landscape prints, continuing the artistic lineage and style established by his predecessor.
The works of Hiroshige II largely follow the compositions and subject matter of the first Hiroshige, depicting famous sites (meisho), highways, and urban scenery. While his use of perspective, spatial arrangement, and rendering of sky and water retain the characteristically gentle emotional resonance of the Hiroshige style, his overall expression is often described as more distinct and decorative.
Reflecting the historical backdrop of the late Edo period (Bakumatsu), his work is also notable for depicting new cities like Yokohama and the burgeoning influence of foreign cultures. This introduced a sense of novelty and contemporary relevance that differed from traditional landscape prints. His work continues to be cherished today for capturing the shifting atmosphere of a Japan in transition from the Edo to the Meiji era.
