Moonlit Sea at Kawasaki
- Date:
- 1877
- Medium:
- Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 24.4 × 36.5 cm
- Source:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
Description
The open water off Kawasaki — the industrial town on Tokyo Bay between Yokohama and the capital — is depicted under moonlight in this early 1877 nishiki-e. The bay's broad expanse, punctuated by the lanterns of fishing boats and the reflected streak of moonlight, creates a minimalist seascape composition that relies entirely on tonal control rather than incident. This is among Kiyochika's earliest dated works in his kōsen-ga style, already demonstrating the atmospheric restraint that would define his mature Tokyo period.
More Prints by Kobayashi Kiyochika
More Seascapes Prints
Child of the Sea
1940
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
Pacific Ocean, Awa Province (Boshu Taikai), from the series "Souvenirs of Travel, Third Series (Tabi miyage dai sanshu)"
Boshu Taikai
1925
Color woodblock print; oban
Pine Beach at Miho (Miho no Matsubara), from the series "Selection of Views of the Tokaido (Tokaido fukei senshu)"
September 1931
Color woodblock print; oban
Frequently Asked Questions
Moonlit Sea at Kawasaki was created by Kobayashi Kiyochika (小林清親) in 1877.
Moonlit Sea at Kawasaki depicts seascapes, moonlight, and night scenes.
Moonlit Sea at Kawasaki measures 24.4 × 36.5 cm (Oban format).