Chikubu Island
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Source:
- Japanese Art Open Database
- Image courtesy of
- Japanese Art Open Database
Description
This print depicts Chikubu Island, the small sacred island in Lake Biwa revered as a site of Benzaiten worship and home to Hogonji Temple. A classic meisho-e subject with roots in both classical poetry and pilgrimage culture, the island appears as a rocky, forested mass rising from the broad surface of the lake. Nishiyama's nihonga training is evident in the handling of atmospheric depth, likely achieved through graduated bokashi passages that render the hazy quality of the lake's distant shores. The composition draws on a long tradition of landscape prints depicting Lake Biwa's celebrated views, positioning Chikubu Island as an isolated, almost timeless landform against open water and sky.
More Prints by Nishiyama Hideo
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
Chikubu Island was created by Nishiyama Hideo (西山英雄).
Chikubu Island depicts landscapes.