A Diary of Travel from Edo to Nagasaki - Shiba Kōkan

A woodblock print from the travelogue Seiyūryōdan by Shiba Kōkan, featuring a detailed illustration of Mount Fuji alongside descriptive Japanese text.

This woodblock print originates from the travelogue Seiyūryōdan, written and illustrated by the Japanese polymath Shiba Kōkan. The work documents his journey from Edo to Nagasaki in 1788. Kōkan was a pioneer of Western-style painting in Japan, known as Yōga, and his interest in European techniques is visible in his approach to spatial representation and line work.

The print features a dual-page layout, combining text with a visual depiction of Mount Fuji. The left panel presents the mountain as a central subject, rendered with precise, thin lines that define the slopes and the surrounding terrain. A small structure sits in the lower left, providing a sense of scale against the massive peak. The right panel contains descriptive text written in Japanese script, detailing the route and observations made during the travel.

Kōkan utilised the woodblock medium to disseminate his observations of the Japanese geography. His style departs from traditional Ukiyo-e conventions, favouring a more analytical observation of form. The composition is balanced, with the text and image occupying distinct yet complementary spaces within the frame. The paper shows signs of age, with a warm, off-white tone that provides a neutral background for the black ink lines. This piece offers a glimpse into the intersection of traditional Japanese printing and the curiosity regarding Western perspective that defined Kōkan's career. It serves as a record of both the physical journey and the intellectual pursuits of an artist operating during a period of restricted international contact.