Famous Views of Tokyo

Powerhouse Museum

Turn every page in this book of ukiyo-e wood block prints by Kobayashi Kiyochika. Made between 1876 and 1882, it depicts scenes of Tokyo, Japan. This book is one of the earliest objects collected as part of the decorative arts collection at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.

Famous View of Tokyo page 1 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Little is known about Kobayashi's book or the scenes that it depicts.

Famous View of Tokyo page 2 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Look closely at the figures in these scenes. Many wear traditional Japanese dress but some wear Western-style clothing.

Famous View of Tokyo page 3 (1876-1882)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 4 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 5 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 6 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 7 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 8 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 9 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 10 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

A number of scenes depict a great fire in Tokyo. These scenes showcase Kobayashi's kosen-ga style which includes a dramatic use of light and shadow.

Famous View of Tokyo page 11 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 12 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo Back cover (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Kobayashi's book is in a concertina form and is read from right to left. Once the reader reaches the back cover, they continue reading on the other side.

Famous View of Tokyo page 14 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 15 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 16 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 17 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 18 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 19 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 20 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 21 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 22 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

This scene is a duplicate of an earlier scene in this book. Kobayashi used the same woodblock plate but differences in the application of ink caused slight colour differences.

Famous View of Tokyo page 23 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo page 24 (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Famous View of Tokyo Front cover (1876-1881)Powerhouse Museum

Credits: Story

Curator: Min-Jung Kim
Digital Producer: Alli Burness
Photographer: Michael Myers

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions (listed below) who have supplied the content.

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