Pagoda at Ikegami Hommonji (temple)

This composition depicts the five-story pagoda (gonjuto) at Ikegami Honmonji, one of Tokyo's historically significant Buddhist temple complexes and a site long associated with seasonal pilgrimage, particularly during autumn when ginkgo trees on the grounds turn yellow. Hasui developed the design from on-site sketches, translating the architectural precision of the pagoda's bracketed eaves and diminishing tiers into carved woodblock lines with his characteristic atmospheric sensitivity. The shin-hanga production process, undertaken through publisher Doi Sadaichi's workshop, would apply bokashi gradation across the sky to establish depth and time of day. The pagoda's vertical mass is likely framed by surrounding trees whose seasonal foliage introduces color contrast against the timber structure and stone base.