Lake Chuzenji
- Medium:
- Mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock)
- Image courtesy of
- Saru Gallery
Description
A view of Lake Chuzenji, the volcanic lake at the foot of Mount Nantai in Nikko, formed when an eruption dammed the Daiya River. Koizumi likely renders the lake's reflective surface and surrounding wooded slopes using bokashi gradations that shift the water from indigo at the depths to paler tones near the shore. The composition places terrain in dialogue with stillness, a recurring concern across his topographic views. Although Koizumi is associated above all with the One Hundred Views of Great Tokyo (Dai Tokyo Hyakkei, 1928-1940), he extended the documentary impulse of that series to mountain destinations such as Nikko, applying the same self-cut blocks and hand-rubbed baren printing on washi. The print sits within the synthesis at the heart of his practice: meisho-e subject matter handled under the sosaku-hanga insistence that the artist remain sole designer, carver, and printer of every block.
More Prints by Kishio Koizumi
Untitled (kishio-koizumi)
Woodblock print
Unknown, spring scene
Woodblock print
Raft In Yoryoko River
Mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock)
Autumn Color along the Moat at Hanzo Gate (Hanzomon go-horihata no aki iro), from the series "One Hundred Views of Great Tokyo in the Showa Era (Showa dai Tokyo fukei hyaku zue hanga)"
1934
Color woodblock print; oban
More Rivers & Lakes Prints
Lake Chuzenji, Nikko (Nikko Chuzenjiko)
Nikko Chuzenjiko
1930
Color woodblock print; oban
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
Gosai Canal in Niigata (Niigata Gosaibori), from the series "Souvenirs of Travel, Second Series (Tabi miyage dai nishu)"
Niigata Gosaibori
1921
Color woodblock print; oban
The Hori River at Obama (Obama Horikawa), from the series "Souvenirs of Travel, First Series (Tabi miyage dai isshu)"
Obama Horikawa
1920
Color woodblock print; oban
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lake Chuzenji was created by Kishio Koizumi (小泉癸巳男).
Lake Chuzenji depicts rivers & lakes.