Every season of Ukiyoe EDO-LIFE ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best seasons of Ukiyoe EDO-LIFE!

Discover story behind the "36 Views of Mt. Fuji" woodprint series; "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Hokusai. It is not just a huge wave and Mt. Fuji, the boat caught in the wave have a reason.

The Great Wave Off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai

Mornings begin early for fishmongers and vegetable peddlers at Nihonbashi Bridge, and here is a reason. They are not going to bow to the lord's procession. The bustling scene from everyday Edo life.

Reproduction of Nihonbashi: Morning Scene by Utagawa Hiroshige

At dusk in summer, a woman is absorbed in reading a letter. This chic lady is actually an advertisement model for Mitsui Echigoya, one of the top kimono fabric stores in Edo.

The Series Summer Outfits by Kitagawa Utamaro

With its splendid branches and white plum blossoms, this famous painting is known for captivating Van Gogh. Discover why people were able to tell this was a specific tree at Kameido Umeyashiki.

Plum Estate Kameido by Utagawa Hiroshige

The top 3 female celebrities in Edo: Tomimoto Toyohina, Takashima Ohisa and Naniwaya Kita. See how Utamaro, the master of female beauty has illustrated them so differently.

Three Beauties of the Present Day by Kitagawa Utamaro

We observe "Red Fuji" and "Black Fuji," 2 dramatically different views of Japan's most famous mountain, captured by the artist Hokusai. What did Mount Fuji mean to the people of Edo?

"Southern Wind at Clear Dawn," "Rainstorm beneath the Summit" from the series "Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji" (1830-31) by Katsushika Hokusai

Two Faces of Mount Fuji

A man strikes a pose in an iconic woodblock print by the artist Sharaku. Who is the mysterious figure ... and what is he doing? And why did the artist want to commemorate the moment?

"The Actor Otani Oniji III as Edobei" (1794) by Toshusai Sharaku

The Man with the Piercing Gaze

We come across a tranquil, snow-covered Edo cityscape. But there's something in the air -- the aroma of foods both sweet and savory that helped the townspeople keep warm in the winter.

"Bikuni Bridge in Snow," from the series "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" (1858) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Comfort Food on a Snowy Night

Caught in an evening shower, Edo townspeople scramble across a bridge in search of shelter. On the river beyond, a lone figure steers his boat, unfazed by the rain. What is his destination?

"Sudden Shower over Shin-Ohashi Bridge and Atake," from the series "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" (1857) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Braving the Rain and the Currents

On those hot, humid summer nights, nothing can get in the way of sleep like mosquitoes on the hunt. We learn about the tools the Edo townspeople had at their disposal to fight the pesky insects.

"Woman beside a Mosquito Net," from the series "Starlight Frost and Modern Manners" (c.1819) by Utagawa Kunisada

A Summer Bedtime Routine

We visit the Yoshiwara district, Edo's most prominent pleasure quarters. Among the lavish spenders, courtesans and apprentices, small humanoid creatures scurry about -- what could they be up to?

"Good and Evil Influences in the Yoshiwara" (c.1800) by Eishosai Choki

Inner Conflict of the Human Soul

It's late at night. When all are fast asleep, a young man and woman huddle together along the veranda outside of a house, attending to a ... rooster. What could the pair be up to?

"Making the Rooster Drunk to Prevent His Crowing at Dawn" (1767-68) by Suzuki Harunobu

A Secret Comes to Light

We visit one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Edo. Flower viewing parties were for eating, drinking and making merry. It was also an opportunity for young men and women to mingle.

"Flower Viewing at Mimeguri Shrine" (1799) by Kitagawa Utamaro

Eat Drink and Enjoy the Flowers

A series of doodles by the famous artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi turn out to be carefully considered depictions of the kabuki actors of the day. What kind of artistic statement was he trying to make?

"Scribbles on a Warehouse Wall" (1848) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Doodles? Or Ukiyoe?

Workers at a sawmill use the latest tools and their honed skills to prepare the building blocks of Edo life: long, narrow beams, bamboo stems and leftover wood stacked as high as buildings.

"Tatekawa in Honjo" from the series "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" (c.1830) by Katsushika Hokusai

The Building Blocks of Edo

In the Edo period, childbirth was a community affair, with the mother-to-be attended by a midwife and the women in her life. It was also characterized by unique customs and superstitions.

"The Birth of the First Child" sheet 7 of the series "Marriage in Brocade Prints, the Carriage of the Virtuous Woman, known as the Marriage series" (c.1769) by Suzuki Harunobu

A Community Comes Together

We venture to the outskirts of Edo just after sunset, where a group of women and children have come to a stream to enjoy a popular summer activity. What could they be looking for among the weeds?

"Catching Fireflies" (1796-1797) by Kitagawa Utamaro

Mother Nature's Summer Light Show

A group of anglers stand in a fast-moving, undulating river at the foot of a rugged cliff. They use "drifting mosquito hooks" to fish for a summer delicacy that was a favorite of the Edo townspeople.

"Fly-fishing" from the series "One Thousand Pictures of the Ocean" (c.1833) by Katsushika Hokusai

Fishing for a Summer Delicacy

For a time during the Edo period, fireworks lit up the skies practically every night in the summer. It was a chance for women to dress up and let loose ... and grab the attention of male suitors.

"Women Watching Fireworks at Sumida River" (1795-96) by Kitagawa Utamaro

A Night of Fashion and Fireworks

Edo was a city of waterways. The Yoroi Ferry transported people across the Nihonbashi River, one of its main commercial arteries. For the captain, it was a high-pressure job requiring skill and guts.

"The Yoroi Ferry" from the series "Fine Views of Edo" (1835-39) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Rush Hour in Old Tokyo

We visit an Edo-style open-air teahouse, where the townspeople enjoyed refreshments, conversation ... and the company of exotic birds. For them, these outings were about more than a good time.

The Bird Cafe

We attend a New Year's concert at a samurai residence, where a master koto player delights a crowd of gorgeously dressed celebrity-types. Lounging in the best seat in the house ... is no ordinary V.I.P.

A Stylish Concert

It's edge-of-your-seat excitement as a high-speed transport boat departs for Edo carrying a rich cargo. Find out what's on the line for the stalwart crew as we break down their strategy.

The Great Race

We go out onto a river where pleasure seekers take in an aquatic show. At first glance a display of rag-tag theatricality, the performers are actually practicing a centuries-old form of swimming.

Edo Aquatics

Summer is winding down, and tonight down by Edo Bay the streets are filled with professional entertainers, food sellers and revelers. It's getting late, but this party is just getting started.

Late Summer Fun

In the pleasure quarters of Edo, a precious house cat stares longingly out the window at a crowd of people going to and fro. Telltale signs scattered about the room reveal why it appears to be upset.

A Kitty's Dreams

A dapper young man sits in a teahouse with his older companion when a young woman catches his eye. From the way they're looking at each other, it's clear that there's something going on between them.

Will Sparks Fly?

For the annual Tanabata Star Festival, families across Edo flew bamboo stalks adorned with strips of paper and ornaments representing wishes. We examine what their wishes tell us about their lives.

The Star Festival

We break down a print that warps space to allow the viewer to be in 2 places at once: Shinobazu Pond, known for its lotus flowers, and the Sumida River, one of Edo's busiest waterways.

Two Scenic Views

Japan is a seismically active land; the Edo period was no exception. In the aftermath of a major 1855 earthquake, an angry guardian deity sets off on a quest to capture those considered responsible.

Unruly Catfish

When a little boy's nap is disturbed by a bad dream, his mother comes to his rescue. What was terrorizing him? We examine a print that shows how much the Edo townspeople cherished their kids.

A Napping Boy Dreams of Monsters

We journey to a sacred mountain where pilgrims are purifying themselves in a waterfall before moving on. Some of them have even brought along offerings ... and it turns out they have something to prove.

Ritual Purification at Roben Falls

In the pleasure quarter of Yoshiwara, a high-ranking courtesan tends to a patron, while a jester attempts to entertain with an eccentric costume -- hinting at the Edo townspeople's affinity for cosplay.

The Niwaka Costume Festival

It's spring, and a group of young men and women have come to the beach for some recreational clam-digging. The sea breeze mixes with the smell of freshly-cooked seafood. There's also love in the air.

Clam Digging at the Beach in Style

We travel to a well-known tourist resort just outside of Edo, where day-trippers are enjoying river recreation and forest walks, praying at local shrines, and sitting down for riverside picnics.

Cooling Off Along Takinogawa River

It's summer, and a group of women have gathered at the local well to do laundry in the shade. We learn about the different techniques and tools they used to wash and dry different types of kimonos.

Airing Laundry at the Local Well

A mother and daughter brave the rain to visit their local bathhouse, exchanging words with a young girl along the way. We learn that regular bathing was an essential part of life for the townspeople.

Off to Go Bathing

A group of kids have gathered to play a game where 100 ghost stories were shared as night slowly closed in. We find out that this chilling activity was actually about instilling important life skills.

100 Ghost Stories

Rugged cliffs and a river frame a picturesque view of Mt. Fuji at a popular sightseeing spot near the city center. A nearby bridge turns out to be an invaluable lifeline for the Edo townspeople.

A Striking View

Down along the Sumida River, boats travel to and fro transporting cargo. On the skyline beyond a curious structure towers over its surroundings, eerily resembling a modern-day Tokyo landmark.

The Mystery Tower

Pilgrims have gathered on a beach along the Kanagawa coast, near Kamakura. Their destination is Enoshima, an island offering leisure, adventure, and spirituality. But first, they had to get across...

Enoshima Crossing

A full moon shines above a bustling neighborhood. Featured prominently are kabuki theaters...on hiatus. Still, people have come out to take in the nightlife, and hopefully a celebrity sighting or two.

Night on the Town

We visit a store selling folding fans, where a young customer is having trouble making up his mind. The accessories were popular because the shape of the open fan symbolized increasing prosperity.

Folding Fans

Two cranes hang out on the edge of a series of paddy fields where a man walks back and forth scattering something on the ground. They've been lured to a falconry preserve...but all is not as it seems.

Sacred Cranes

We visit a terakoya, a school teaching reading and writing. Today the young students have come dressed in their finest, and are busy putting brush to paper to show off their calligraphy skills.

Calligraphy Day

Centuries ago, Tokyo was known as Edo. More than a million people enjoyed life in this small but abundant city. They live on in ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Each episode is a deep dive into a single print, and an exploration of the soul of Old Tokyo. We examine works by artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige not just for their aesthetic and historical value, but for the stories they tell of everyday life. That is how the people of Edo themselves enjoyed this mass-produced medium.

The Best Seasons of Ukiyoe EDO-LIFE

The Best Seasons of Ukiyoe EDO-LIFE

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Season 4