Stone Observatory in Kiyonju
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Source:
- Honolulu Museum of Art
Description
The ancient Cheomseongdae observatory in Gyeongju, Korea, rendered as a sturdy cylindrical stone tower rising from the earth. Kobashi Yasuhide treats the seventh-century astronomical structure with a printmaker's eye for texture, carving each course of fitted granite blocks so the viewer can almost feel the weathered surfaces. The observatory's simple, powerful geometry—a bottle-shaped stack of stone against open sky—translates naturally into the woodblock medium's strengths of strong silhouette and bold tonal contrast. The print serves as both architectural study and quiet meditation on structures built to last centuries.
More Prints by Kobashi Yasuhide
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
Stone Observatory in Kiyonju was created by Kobashi Yasuhide (小橋泰秀).
Stone Observatory in Kiyonju depicts landscapes, architecture, and travel scenes.