Japanese Art Poster Depicting the Serenity and Balance of Japanese Landscapes - Hiroshige's Shiba Shinmei Shrine

"Shiba Shinmei Shrine and Zōjō-ji Temple" (original title: 芝神明増上寺) is a woodblock print by the Japanese painter and illustrator Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) produced in July 1858.

In this print, a group of visitors, who have come from the countryside to explore the capital, are led by an escort leading the way. Hiroshige once again demonstrates his skill in capturing the diversity of physiognomies and personalities, as well as the psychological nuances of individuals. Behind them, a group of monks, recognizable by their straw hats, are also heading towards the temple. Zōjō-ji, depicted in the print, is a temple belonging to the Pure Land sect, important for being the pantheon of the Tokugawa clan. To the right of the composition is Shiba Shinmei Shrine, with its distinctive architectural features dating back to the 11th century, in the archaic style of the original Ise Shrine. The cheerful, almost cartoonish expressions of the peasants contrast with the seriousness of the novice monks, giving this print a special, almost intermediary atmosphere within the series.