Kuniyoshi: A view of Kinryuzan Temple in Asakusa in the Snow

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861)
Title: A view of Kinryuzan Temple in Asakusa in the snow. Asakusa Kinryuzan Bentenzan setchu no zu.
Date: 1853

Sensoji, (Kinryûzan) is Edo’s oldest temple, founded in 628, and its rebuilt environs are still extremely popular destinations in Tokyo today. To this dealer, the simplification of lanscape elements somehow feels Hasui-like. Note how the snowflakes against the sky fall in clusters and are mostly rounded, while the white patches in the water are triangular and regularly spaced, perhaps to indicate patches of ice. Kuniyoshi designed few purely landscape scenes, and he brings a unique style to each of them. Rare. There is an edition of this work that lacks the ice crystals in the water (see MFA). 

Condition: Very good impression and condition. Excellent color.

Dimensions: ôban (24.5 x 36.3 cm)
Publisher: Maruya Seijiro
Literature: See BM, MFA. Shown in “Heroes & Ghosts” (Schaap), #223. See Robinson (1961) number 66 and Springfield Museum number 129.

Seal: Fukushima and Muramatsu
Signature: Kuniyoshi ga

SKU: KUC046S