Nishiki-e from "Guide to Famous Spots of Edo Vol.1"
Compiled by Saitō Chōshū, Painted by Hasegawa Settan 1834-1836 (Tempō 5 to Tempō 7) Kaga Collection 256
In the late Edo period, Ukiyo-e (woodblock prints of everyday life in the Edo period) produced in Edo were known as "Nishiki-e" (brocade pictures) on account of their bountiful colors, and were extremely popular Edo miyage (Edo souvenirs). Ukiyo-e were sold by publishers called jihon-donya or ezoshi-Ya who handled unique Edo books, and they contributed significantly to the development of Edo culture. This picture shows the front of the Tōriabura-chō branch shop of Tsuruya Kiemon, a publisher whose main shop was located in Kyoto. Their Edo branch operated as both a shomotsu-donya (publishers of regular books) and a jihon-donya.