Matsushima, from the series Famous Sights of Japan (Nihon meishō zue)
- Series:
- Famous Sights of Japan
- Date:
- 1896 (Meiji 29)
- Medium:
- Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 35.6 × 23.3 cm
- Source:
- Harvard Art Museums
Description
This 1896 nishiki-e from the Famous Sights of Japan series depicts Matsushima Bay from one of its promontory viewpoints, the pine-clad islands arranged across the misty water in a composition Kiyochika enriches with the atmospheric haze he had perfected in his Tokyo landscapes. The bay's association with Matsuo Bashō's haiku — one of the most famous in the Japanese canon — gave the subject a literary resonance that Kiyochika's print taps into through its contemplative, mist-softened treatment.
More Prints by Kobayashi Kiyochika
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Lake Kugushi in Wakasa Province (Wakasa Kugushiko), from the series Souvenirs of Travel I (Tabi miyage dai isshu)"
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Autumn Maple Leaves at Takao, from the album Eight Views of Kyoto (Kyôto hakkei)
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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)"
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Tea Kettle, section of a sheet from the series "Mirror of Stone Rubbings of Views of the Provinces" (Kohon meihitsu ishizuri kagami)
n.d.
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Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Matsushima, from the series Famous Sights of Japan (Nihon meishō zue) was created by Kobayashi Kiyochika (小林清親) in 1896 (Meiji 29).
Yes — Matsushima, from the series Famous Sights of Japan (Nihon meishō zue) is part of the Famous Sights of Japan series by Kobayashi Kiyochika.
Matsushima, from the series Famous Sights of Japan (Nihon meishō zue) depicts landscapes, seascapes, and trees, set at Matsushima.
Matsushima, from the series Famous Sights of Japan (Nihon meishō zue) measures 35.6 × 23.3 cm (Oban format).