Kisokaidô: Takasaki - Station 13

Takasaki is located at the confluence of the Karasu-gawa and Usui-gawa rivers. It was the castle seat of the Matsudaira family, one of the major clans in feudal Japan, close allies of the Tokugawa family (The Tokugawa are originally a branch of the original Matsudaira clan). The land is rich and the castle was quite famous. There was also a grand temple dedicated to bodhidharma Daruma (see previous station). But Hiroshige depicts neither landmarks, choosing instead a scene at the outskirts of the station. In a teahouse, a man (1) reclines, leaning against the balustrade of a veranda over the river watching the sunset over Mt.Akagi and Mt.Haruna in the distance. A couple (2) on the road has been accosted by a beggar (3). Another one (4) runs to join them. The 1830’s saw considerable economic difficulties in the countryside after heavy rains and poor harvests and this print is unusual as it shows social interaction and problems.

There were few changes in this print, only the clothes which saw a palette change and the color gradation of the setting sun getting more orange.

(Source: The 69 stations of the Kisokaido, Sebastian Izzard, Brazillier 2008)