The 8 Views is a Chinese artistic and literary theme developed already in the 10th century and then transposed into Japanese culture, where it developed its own independent expression.
Print artist Utagawa Hiroshige as many other Japanese artists took up the issue of 8 Views of Ōmi and again as other Japanese artists he expanded the theme into 8 Views of Kanazawa, 8 Views of Edo Environs and other locations.
The authors introduced the subject with the small volume 8 Views of Ōmi, Kanazawa and Edo Environs. This book treats four versions of the 8 Views of Kanazawa.
It is possible to travel to see the same sites today but the views of Yokohama have little left of the Kanazawa idyll shown by Hiroshige.
