The Mokuboji Temple by the Sumida River

Date:: 1785-1787
Medium:: Print
Format:: Oban
Source:: Victoria and Albert Museum

Typical Price

Later reprint (Meiji–Taisho era publishers): $50–$400
Good later impression (Edo-period, worn blocks or faded): $2,000–$10,000
Good early impression (strong color, crisp lines): $10,000–$40,000
Fine early impression (exceptional color and condition): $40,000–$100,000

Hokusai's landscape prints beyond the Thirty-six Views span a remarkable range of viewpoints and weather conditions. Non-series landscape prints by Hokusai regularly appear in specialist Japanese print sales worldwide.

Description

The Mokuboji temple on the west bank of the Sumida River — a small Shingon temple whose name means "wooden temple" — is depicted alongside the river that formed its natural setting in this print from Hokusai's mid-1780s fashionable places series. Mokuboji was known for its weeping cherry trees and the scenic path along the riverbank, making it a seasonal destination for blossom viewers and boat excursions.

More Prints by Katsushika Hokusai

The Fishermen of Katase Hauling in Their Nets: The Purple Shell (Murasakigai)

1821

Color woodblock print with metallic pigments; surimono shikishiban

Burdock Root (Kurama gobo), from the series "A Selection of Horses (Uma-zukushi)"

1822

Color woodblock print; shikishiban, surimono

Horse Shells (Umagai), from the series "A Selection of Horses (Uma-zukushi)"

1822

Color woodblock print; shikishiban, surimono

Orange Orchids, from an untitled series of flowers

c. 1832

Color woodblock print; oban

More Landscapes Prints

Lake Kugushi in Wakasa Province (Wakasa Kugushiko), from the series Souvenirs of Travel I (Tabi miyage dai isshu)"

Wakasa Kugushiko

1920

Color woodblock print; oban

Autumn Maple Leaves at Takao, from the album Eight Views of Kyoto (Kyôto hakkei)

Woodblock print

The Beach at Kaiganji in Sanuki Province (Sanuki Kaiganji no hama), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition (Nihon fukei shu II Kansai hen)"

1934

Color woodblock print; oban

Tea Kettle, section of a sheet from the series "Mirror of Stone Rubbings of Views of the Provinces" (Kohon meihitsu ishizuri kagami)

n.d.

Woodblock print; ishizuri-e, section of harimaze sheet

Featured in Collections

Curated cross-cuts that include this print.

Mount Fuji in Japanese Woodblock Prints Meisho-e: Famous-Place Prints

Frequently Asked Questions

The Mokuboji Temple by the Sumida River was created by Katsushika Hokusai (葛飾北斎) in 1785-1787.

The Mokuboji Temple by the Sumida River depicts landscapes, temples & shrines, and rivers & lakes, set at Sumida River.