Shin Bridge at Nikko
by Kawase Hasui
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Source:
- Honolulu Museum of Art
- Image courtesy of
- Honolulu Museum of Art
Description
The Shinkyo, or Sacred Bridge, at Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture is one of the most iconic structures in Japanese religious landscape. The vermilion lacquered wooden bridge arches over the Daiya River at the entrance to the Toshogu shrine complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hasui's treatment likely positions the bridge against the forested mountain backdrop, with the river below rendered in moving water through fine keyblock carving and tonal printing. The intense red of the lacquered railings — achieved through repeated applications of a single pigment block — would anchor the composition against the dark greens of cedar and cypress forest. The bridge appears frequently in shin-hanga landscapes, though Hasui's version characteristically emphasizes atmospheric depth over decorative surface.
More Prints by Kawase Hasui
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shin Bridge at Nikko was created by Kawase Hasui (川瀬巴水).
Shin Bridge at Nikko depicts landscapes.