Crescent Moon over Hyapponkui
by Inoue Yasuji
- Date:
- 1881–89
- Medium:
- Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 11.4 × 17.1 cm
- Source:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
Description
A slender crescent moon hangs over the Hyapponkui — the "Hundred Piles," the timber-piered embankment along the Sumida River at Ryogoku — in this atmospheric nocturne from Yasuji's Tokyo series. Dating from his active years between 1881 and 1889, the print shows the influence of his teacher Kiyochika in its interest in artificial and natural light effects against the river. The geometry of the piles reflected in dark water and the delicate arc of the moon give the composition a poetic austerity rare in topographic printmaking.
More Prints by Inoue Yasuji
The Emperor Meiji and Empress in a Carriage during their Silver Wedding Anniversary Celebration at Aoyama
True Pictures of Famous Places in Tokyo: Taro Inari Shrine in Asakusa-tanbo
Woodblock print
True Pictures of Famous Places in Tokyo: The Burnt Remains of Ryogokubashi Bridge
Woodblock print
True Pictures of Famous Places in Tokyo: The Destruction of Hisamatsucho in a Fire that Started in Kanda
Woodblock print
More Moonlight Prints
![Mount Fuji on a Moonlit Night, Kawai Bridge (Tsukiyo no Fuji [Kawaibashi]), from the series "Selection of Views of the Tokaido (Tokaido fukei senshu)" by Kawase Hasui](https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/d0960668-1e73-339a-b182-fb995a54bff0/full/843,/0/default.jpg)
Mount Fuji on a Moonlit Night, Kawai Bridge (Tsukiyo no Fuji [Kawaibashi]), from the series "Selection of Views of the Tokaido (Tokaido fukei senshu)"
1947
Color woodblock print; oban
Evening Moon at Nakanoshima, Sapporo (Sapporo Nakanoshima no yuzuki), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan, Eastern Japan Edition (Nihon fukei shu higashi Nihon hen)"
March 1933
Color woodblock print; oban
Matsushima in Moonlight (Tsuki no Matsushima)
1919
Color woodblock print
Kiyozumi Garden in Moonlight
January 1938
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Frequently Asked Questions
Crescent Moon over Hyapponkui was created by Inoue Yasuji (井上安治) in 1881–89.
Crescent Moon over Hyapponkui depicts moonlight and night scenes.
Crescent Moon over Hyapponkui measures 11.4 × 17.1 cm (Oban format).