Geishas by a Bridge in the Snow
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Source:
- Honolulu Museum of Art
- Image courtesy of
- Honolulu Museum of Art
Description
Snow scenes combining bijin-ga figure subjects with architectural or landscape elements were a recurring theme in Kiyochika's work. This print depicts one or more geisha figures pausing on or near a bridge in winter, their brightly colored kimono creating chromatic counterpoints against the muted whites and grays of falling or settled snow. Kiyochika's snow prints are notable for his controlled use of gradated grey printing to render overcast winter skies, and for the delicate stippling or flecked printing used to suggest snowfall. The bridge structure — likely stone or wooden, possibly with lanterns — provides geometric contrast to the organic forms of the figures. The composition sits at the intersection of the ukiyo-e bijin tradition and his atmospheric landscape concerns.
More Prints by Kobayashi Kiyochika
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
Geishas by a Bridge in the Snow was created by Kobayashi Kiyochika (小林清親).
Geishas by a Bridge in the Snow depicts landscapes.