Autumn Scenery at Takao

Takao, in the northwest hills of Kyoto, is one of the long-celebrated momiji-gari sites, anchored by the temples of Jingo-ji, Saimyo-ji, and Kozan-ji along the Kiyotaki River gorge. This print likely shows the river valley framed by maples in full autumn color, with a footbridge or temple roof anchoring the middle ground. Rendering autumn foliage in mokuhanga required a sequence of overlapping impressions in vermillion, orange, and deeper madder tones, often passed through a baren onto washi to build the variegated canopy without flattening individual leaves. Bokashi along the riverbank would soften the transition from foliage to water. Takao views form a recognizable subgenre within shin-hanga landscape production, and Nomura's treatment of the site sits alongside his other seasonal Kyoto subjects -- a body of work organized around the calendar of celebrated viewing spots that publishers used to anchor their landscape series.