Miyajima in Snow (Yuki no Miyajima)

Miyajima in Snow depicts one of Japan's most sacred sites — the great torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island — transformed by a covering of fresh snow. Created in 1929 and published by Watanabe Shozaburo, this print captures the iconic vermillion gate standing in the shallow waters of the Inland Sea, its wooden pillars and crossbeams dusted with white while snow continues to fall from a gray sky. The surrounding forested hills of the island rise behind the shrine buildings, their trees blanketed in snow that softens the landscape into gentle, rounded forms.

Miyajima, formally known as Itsukushima, has been considered one of Japan's three most scenic views since the seventeenth century, and its floating torii gate is among the most photographed structures in the country. Hasui's decision to depict it in snow was both artistically inspired and commercially astute, as snowfall on Miyajima is relatively rare, making the scene feel precious and ephemeral. The composition emphasizes the spiritual quality of the site through the contrast between the sacred gate's warm red-orange tones and the cold whites and grays of the winter landscape.

The printing technique demonstrates the collaborative mastery of the shin-hanga system. Multiple blocks were required to build up the layered tones of the water, sky, and snow-covered hills, while the bokashi gradation technique was employed extensively to create atmospheric depth. The snowflakes themselves were achieved through a technique of applying white pigment over the darker background tones. Hasui returned to Miyajima as a subject several times, including the equally famous Starlit Night at Miyajima, demonstrating his fascination with this location under different conditions of light and weather. This snow scene remains among the most sought-after of all his prints, combining the cultural significance of its subject with the artist's unmatched ability to convey seasonal atmosphere.