Journeys of the Floating World: Highways and Travel in Edo-Era Japan

Moonlit Sea Prints of Easthampton MA is thrilled to announce an extraordinary exhibition — Journeys of the Floating World: Highways and Travel in Edo-Era Japan.

Step onto the storied roads of Edo-period Japan in this immersive showcase featuring the masterful woodblock prints of Utagawa Hiroshige, Keisai Eisen, Utagawa Kunisada, and Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This exhibition explores the famed highways of Japan—the Tōkaidō Road, the Kisokaidō Road, and other celebrated travel routes—which served as vital arteries of commerce, pilgrimage, and artistic inspiration.

These roads were more than just thoroughfares; they were stages where the beauty and challenges of travel unfolded. Hiroshige’s poetic landscapes capture shifting seasons and atmospheric moods, while Eisen’s bold compositions highlight the travelers who braved these winding paths. Kunisada infuses theatricality into his depictions, weaving myth and legend into the journey, while Kuniyoshi’s dynamic storytelling fills the roads with adventure and intrigue.

From mist-covered mountain passes to bustling post towns, Journeys of the Floating World transports viewers to a time when travel was both a necessity and an art form. Through these exquisite prints, experience Edo-period Japan as it was seen by the great masters of ukiyo-e.

Join us at Moonlit Sea Prints as we traverse the roads that shaped Japan’s artistic imagination.

The exhibit runs from April 1, 2025 through April 30, 2025. The gallery is open by appointment Monday through Friday, 8:30-2:30.