8 by 12 paper
Parents brought this back from Japan after the war
Hello Mark,
Thank you for your appraisal inquiry with Mearto. The item presented appears to be a Japanese color woodblock by Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川 広重, Japanese, 1797-1858) titled "Sudden Shower over Shin-Ōhashi Bridge and Atake." The image is one from the series titled "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei)."
Hiroshige is arguably the most important ukiyo-e artist of the 19th century. He produced over 8,000 works. This work, possibly one of Hiroshige most famous images, was originally published in 1857 by Shitaya Uo Ei.
The print appears to be a true impression. However, further examination of the print outside the frame would lead to that information. Specifically, inscriptions to the margins. The Metropolitan Museum in New York hold an example of this print. You may compare your to theirs for further information.
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/36461
The estimate provide is based on recent auction estimates and results of true impressions of the woodblock and others from the series. If the print proves to not be a true impression and in fact a later reprint, the value would decrease based on age and publisher. Thank you and please take care.