Saruhashi Bridge in Winter
- Date:
- 1939
- Medium:
- Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 33 × 25.9 cm
- Source:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
Description
This 1939 oban woodblock print by Kishio Koizumi depicts the Saruhashi Bridge in winter. Saruhashi, meaning "Monkey Bridge," is one of Japan's three most unusual bridges, spanning the Katsura River gorge in Yamanashi Prefecture. Originally built without any central support pillars, its arched wooden structure extends from both cliff faces to meet in the middle, a remarkable feat of engineering attributed to the seventh century. Koizumi renders the bridge under winter conditions, when snow accumulates on its curved surface and ice forms along the gorge walls. The contrast between the warm tones of the wooden bridge and the cold whites and grays of the winter landscape creates visual tension, while the deep gorge below establishes dramatic vertical space. Ink and color on paper capture the bridge's graceful arc against the stark geometry of frozen rock.
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 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
Saruhashi Bridge in Winter was created by Kishio Koizumi (小泉癸巳男) in 1939.
Saruhashi Bridge in Winter depicts landscapes, bridges, and winter.
Saruhashi Bridge in Winter measures 33 × 25.9 cm (Oban format).