Kiyochika: Rainy View of Shinobazu Pond (Sold)

Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915)
Title: Rainy View of Shinobazu Pond
Date: Circa 1876

A mother and her child walk on the path along Shinobazu Pond. She carries a western umbrella, while her son, in an amusing touch, shields himself from the rain with a make-do coverture.  It must be summer, as pink lotuses are blooming. We can see Benten Shrine in red in the distance, which was formerly included the shogun’s family temple, Kaneiji. Most of Kaneiji temple was destroyed in the Battle of Ueno in 1868, and this area became part of Ueno Park in 1873. So it is interesting to note that less than a decade before this scene, Shinobazu was within the confines of the Tokugawa-sponsored Kan-eiji Temple, whose grounds were the site of the last major battle between Imperial and shogunate forces. It is one of the few views of Tokyo that look quite similar today. This is an earlier version than the one in the British Museum, which has a black outline around the scene and a darker coloration. The mimicry of western engraving is very evident in this work, which is quite a scarce and highly regarded design.

Condition: Very good impression and color. Good condition. Very minor repaired wormage and narrow margins. 
Dimensions: ôban (21.3 x 33.2 cm)
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi
Literature: Kiyochika + Yasuji (2012), number 23, page 25. Hiroshige and Kiyochika (Ota Memorial Museum, 2015), number 154, page 110. See British Museum online and Freer/Sackler Gallery

Signature: Kobayashi Kiyochika hitsu

SKU: KYC422