hiroshige: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Artistic
Quick answer
What does “hiroshige” mean?
A proper noun referring to the Japanese ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), famous for his landscape prints.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun referring to the Japanese ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), famous for his landscape prints.
Used to refer to the artist's body of work, his artistic style, or prints attributed to him. In broader contexts, can serve as a metonym for traditional Japanese woodblock print art of the Edo period.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation may vary slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Equal connotations of artistic mastery and Japanese cultural heritage in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both, confined to art history, museum, and collector contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hiroshige” in a Sentence
[Subject] owns/collects/displays a Hiroshige.[Subject] is reminiscent of/comparable to Hiroshige.The [artwork] is attributed to Hiroshige.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hiroshige” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The print had a distinctly Hiroshige-esque quality.
American English
- The composition felt very Hiroshige-like.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in art auction catalogues or gallery descriptions.
Academic
Common in art history, Japanese studies, and printmaking courses.
Everyday
Very rare, unlikely in general conversation.
Technical
Used in museology, conservation, and art authentication contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hiroshige”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hiroshige”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hiroshige”
- Misspelling as 'Hiroshige' (missing 'e'), 'Hiroshigi', or 'Hiroshige'.
- Incorrect stress on the first syllable (stress is on 'shi' or 'shee').
- Using it as a verb or adjective (e.g., 'This painting is very hiroshige').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In British English, /ˌhɪərəʊˈʃiːɡeɪ/ (hear-oh-SHEE-gay). In American English, /ˌhɪroʊˈʃiɡeɪ/ (hi-roh-SHEE-gay).
He is famous for his ukiyo-e woodblock prints, particularly landscape series like 'The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō' and 'One Hundred Famous Views of Edo'.
No. It refers specifically to the artist Utagawa Hiroshige or his works. Using it generically for all Japanese prints is incorrect.
No, it is a low-frequency word used primarily in art, history, and collecting contexts. It is not part of everyday vocabulary.
A proper noun referring to the Japanese ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), famous for his landscape prints.
Hiroshige is usually formal, academic, artistic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a proper name.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HE ROE (fish eggs) SHE GAVE' – but it was a beautiful Hiroshige print she gave.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIROSHIGE IS A WINDOW TO EDO-ERA JAPAN. (His works provide a scenic, detailed view into historical Japan.)
Practice
Quiz
Hiroshige is most closely associated with which art form?