Japanese Print "Scene at Itsukushima Shrine, Aki Province" by Utagawa Hiroshige
Artist:Utagawa Hiroshige
Title:Scene at Itsukushima Shrine, Aki Province
Date:1853
Details:More information...
Source:Minneapolis Institute of Arts
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Description:
Built on pilings over Hiroshima Bay, Itsukushima Shrine is one of the three most famous spots of scenic beauty in Japan. At high tide, the shrine seems to float on the water. The annual Kangen Festival is held at high tide on an early August evening. Kangen (ancient court music) was originally a summertime diversion among Heian period (794-1185) aristocrats, and included boating parties with musicians performing on-board. Taira no Kiyomori, a 12th century political leader and founder of Itsukushima Shrine, combined kangen entertainment with a ritual ceremony to worship the shrine's three goddesses. A procession of boats, led by local fishermen, bears a portable shrine out into the bay where the ancient music is played. This print illustrates the returning boats as they approach the great torii gateway, which marks the entrance to the shrine precinct.
![Japanese Print "Aki Province: Itsukushima, Depiction of a Festival (Aki, Itsukushima, Sairei no zu), from the series Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan] ([Dai Nihon] Rokujûyoshû meisho zue)" by Utagawa Hiroshige, 歌川広重 (Utagawa Hiroshige I)](https://data.ukiyo-e.org/mfa/thumbs/sc208506.jpg "Aki Province: Itsukushima, Depiction of a Festival (Aki, Itsukushima, Sairei no zu), from the series Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan] ([Dai Nihon] Rokujûyoshû meisho zue)")
![Japanese Print "Aki Province: Itsukushima, Depiction of a Festival (Aki, Itsukushima, Sairei no zu), from the series Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan] ([Dai Nihon] Rokujûyoshû meisho zue)" by Utagawa Hiroshige, 歌川広重 (Utagawa Hiroshige I)](https://data.ukiyo-e.org/mfa/thumbs/sc130622.jpg "Aki Province: Itsukushima, Depiction of a Festival (Aki, Itsukushima, Sairei no zu), from the series Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan] ([Dai Nihon] Rokujûyoshû meisho zue)")
