131004-0113.1-OS - Artisans' Winter Prayers

Half-naked artisan apprentices carrying chochin paper lanterns hurry home after a visit to Konpira Shrine in Edo (current Tokyo), 1857 (Ansei 4).

During winter, apprentices engaged in kan-mairi, visiting temples and shrines to pray for the refinement of their skills while bathing in icy water.

This woodblock print is image 113 in One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (名所江戸百景, Meisho Edo Hyakkei), a series created by ukiyoe artist Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重, 1797–1858).

It is one of 20 winter scenes in the series.

Title: Aoi Slope outside Toranomon gate (虎の門外あふひ坂, Toranomon soto Aoizaka)

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