UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE I (1797–1858)THE PLUM GARDEN, KAMEIDO (KAMEIDO UMEYASHIKI) EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY | PLUM GARDEN, KAMATA (KAMATA NO UMEZONO), FROM THE SERIES ONE HUNDRED FAMOUS VIEWS OF EDO (MEISHO EDO HYAKKEI), EDO PERIOD, CIRCUS 1857

woodblock print, from the series One Hundred Views of Famous Places of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei), signed Hiroshige ga, published by Uoya Eikichi, sealed aratame, 1857 vertical oban:

- There are two small areas of restoration to the top two corners, and a few minor repairs in the left hand side margin
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Umeyashiki is the name of a plum garden on the banks of the Sumida River in Edo (present Tokyo), which drew large numbers of visitors to enjoy the view and scent of the blossoming trees in early spring. This print was famously imitated by the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890), producing his own version Flowering Plum Orchard (after Hiroshige), 1887, now in the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, accession number s0115V1962, go to: https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/collection/s0115V1962?v=1 For an impression in the Tokyo National Museum, accession number C0028327, go to: http://webarchives.tnm.jp/imgsearch/show/C0028327

And for another in the British Museum, accession number 1948,0410,0.65, go to: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research.aspx