Evening at Shinagawa

Hiroaki Takahashi

Hiroaki Takahashi (also known as Shotei) (1871–1945) was a 20th-century Japanese woodblock artist in the shin-hanga printmaking movement.

A nostalgic scene of traveling musicians going through a town at sunset, with a crescent moon overhead. The familiar sense of a warm, clear night suggests that this takes place in the summer, when windows are left open to let in the soft night air. “Shinagawa” has a few regional meanings in Japan; in this case, it likely refers to Shinagawa Station, which includes various ports in the business district along the Tokaido road. An important merchant route, many families and inns opened their doors to travelers as they made their way along the road, including to traveling entertainers.

Interestingly, among the entertainers who traveled most frequently on the route were the Goze, women musicians who were blind or partially blind and trained in playing instruments and singing. Formed under the auspices of various protective organizations, it was a chance to allow women who might otherwise be cast aside to be allowed independence and income. They would travel the Tokaido route from village to village, singing for those who lived in each region. Perhaps this is one such scene.