Ando Hiroshige was born in Edo, Japan (now Tokyo) under the name Ando Tokutaro. His father was a fire chief, and Hiroshige was also a fireman before becoming a professional artist. As a child, he liked to sketch.

Hiroshige was a painter and printmaker of the Ukiyo-e genre of art. These artists made woodblock prints of women, actors, and landscapes. The art of Ukiyo-e printmakers inspired many Western impressionists and post-impressionists, such as Monet and Van Gogh.

Hiroshige’s style is minimalistic; he was fond of using simple lines and calm compositions to depict landscapes and everyday life in Japan. His prints often include misty skies, snow-covered mountains, fishing boats on the sea, and tranquil forests.

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