Fukkoku - a print made from recarved blocks, originally published in the Edo era. From the series “Yedo Kinko Hakkei” (Eight Views of the Environs of Yedo), originally published in 1837-38 by Sanoki (Kikakudo seal), with a border stamp styled Taihaido-Kaihan and a poem. The number of verses vary with the printing, the earlier printings having 3 to 4 verses, later versions one verse. (see notes below). This print from re-carved blocks with “Hiroshige gwa” signature.

Wild geese are descending to rest to a marshy area at Haneda, which later became the local of the Haneda Airport at Tokyo. In the distance sails are outlined against a golden sky. The title, subtitle and poem were written on the face of each of the eight prints. This entire series is considered one of Hiroshige’s masterpieces and in the original issue, this set is very rare. In the concept of “Eight Views”, a theme borrowed from Chinese Poetry, one of the required subjects was “geese flying to rest.”