Kiyochika 小林: Sumida River 隅田川

Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika 小林清親   Title:  Sumida River 隅田川

Series: Views of the Famous Sights of Japan 日本名勝図会 (Nihon meishô zue)

Date: 1897

Small wooden boats are poled along the Sumida River, the passengers enjoying the splendid vistas along the waterway. Above the riverbank at left we see a profusion of cherry trees in full bloom, so perhaps the boats are heading to a landing near a scenic park. We seem to be passing the area known as Hyappongui (Hundred Stakes), a view that Kiyochika had also depicted in his earlier Tokyo series. In the distance we may be seeing Ryogoku bridge. In the cartouche at top is a poem that perhaps extols the scenic splendors of the river. This series presents a strong contrast to Kiyochika’s war designs from 1895, as its defining feature  is its utter peace and tranquility and quiet, painterly feeling. This series was his first focus on pure landscape prints since his One Hundred Views of Musashi in 1884-85. There are twenty-eight prints in this series.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. 
Dimensions: ôban 36.2 x 24.5 cm
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi
Literature: See Henry Smith’s “Kiyochika: Artist of Meiji Japan” plate 114, page 105.
Signature: Kiyochika

SKU: KYC493