A Poetic Vision of Edo Japan: The Life and Art of Ando Hiroshige Ando Hiroshige, born Andō Tokutarō in 1797 within the bustling heart of Edo (modern Tokyo), wasn’t initially destined for a life steeped in artistic expression. His lineage traced back to samurai origins, yet fate took an unexpected turn with the untimely loss of his parents during his youth. This pivotal moment led to an apprenticeship under Utagawa Toyohiro, a respected figure within the *ukiyo-e* tradition – a world of woodblock prints capturing the ephemeral beauty of everyday life. While early works didn’t immediately garn…