Japanese Yokohama-e Woodblock Print Triptych by Sadahide, c.1860

Story

In 1859, Japan opened Yokohama's port to the world after 220 years of isolation. To keep foreign sailors segregated, the government built this walled pleasure district in a swamp, connected only by a single, heavily guarded bridge.

Maker / Origin

Utagawa Sadahide (1807–1873) was a prominent member of the Utagawa school and became the preeminent artist of 'Yokohama-e' (Yokohama pictures). He was famous for his sweeping, cartographic bird's-eye views, capturing the rapid modernization and foreign presence in Japan with journalistic detail.

Condition & Value

The triptych shows typical signs of age, including light toning, minor creasing, and wear along the vertical seams where the three sheets join. There appears to be some minor trimming to the outer margins, but the colors remain relatively bright and stable. The reverse shows some bleed-through consistent with authentic period paper.