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Japan: Hakone (箱根). Station 10 of 'The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō' (Hōeidō edition), Utagawa Hiroshige (1833-1834)

Japan: Hakone (箱根). Station 10 of 'The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō' (Hōeidō edition), Utagawa Hiroshige (1833-1834)

Hakone: A high peak, round the base of which, through a gorge, a daimyo's cortège is wending it's way; on the left the Hakone Lake, with Fuji in the distance.

The Hakone pass was the most arduous stretch of the entire Tokaido Highway. It was steep and difficult to climb, and harboured many roaming bandits. However, the pass abounded in scenic spots and hot spring resorts and continues to attact many visitors.

Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川 広重, 1797 – October 12, 1858) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist, and one of the last great artists in that tradition. He was also referred to as Andō Hiroshige (安藤 広重) (an irregular combination of family name and art name) and by the art name of Ichiyūsai Hiroshige (一幽斎廣重).

The Tōkaidō (東海道 East Sea Road) was the most important of the Five Routes of the Edo period, connecting Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto in Japan. Unlike the inland and less heavily travelled Nakasendō, the Tōkaidō travelled along the sea coast of eastern Honshū, hence the route's name.

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