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Katsushika Hokusai — Sumidagawa Sekiya no sato (Sekiya Village on the Sumida River)
Katsushika Hokusai

Sumidagawa Sekiya no sato (Sekiya Village on the Sumida River)

This woodblock print from Hokusai's series "Eight Parlor Views" depicts a scene of daily life at Sekiya Village along the Sumida River, capturing the intersection of landscape and human activity characteristic of the ukiyo-e tradition. The composition employs Hokusai's sophisticated use of perspective and spatial recession to create depth, while the carefully observed details of figures, architecture, and natural elements demonstrate his keen eye for both intimate moments and environmental context. The print exemplifies the artist's mastery of the medium and his ability to transform an ordinary location into a work of considerable visual and narrative interest.

Notes

LOT ESSAY This design depicts the embankment path by the Sumida River at Sekiya, present-day Senju Sekiyamachi in Eastern Tokyo, renowned for cherry-blossom viewing. Mount Fuji in the distance reflects the morning glow, while three samurai ride horses galloping at full speed. The rhythmical placement of the horses, as well as the fluttering overcoats of the riders and the horses’ tails embody Hokusai’s skill at evoking a sense of speed.

🔨 Auction Lot

Japanese and Korean Art

March 24, 2026

Estimate: $5,000$7,000

Lot 78

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About this work

Katsushika Hokusai, Sumidagawa Sekiya no sato (Sekiya Village on the Sumida River)

This woodblock print from Hokusai's series "Eight Parlor Views" depicts a scene of daily life at Sekiya Village along the Sumida River, capturing the intersection of landscape and human activity characteristic of the ukiyo-e tradition. The composition employs Hokusai's sophisticated use of perspective and spatial recession to create depth, while the carefully observed details of figures, architecture, and natural elements demonstrate his keen eye for both intimate moments and environmental context. The print exemplifies the artist's mastery of the medium and his ability to transform an ordinary location into a work of considerable visual and narrative interest.

Seen at
Christie's, London, United Kingdom

Related themes

Vertical Composition, 19th Century, Japanese, Ukiyo-e, Landscape, Melancholic, Nature scenes, Edo Period, River Landscape, Woodblock Print

More works by Katsushika Hokusai

Collected by

Art Institute of Chicago