Sanjo Bridge - Summer

Sanjo Bridge, spanning the Kamo River in central Kyoto, has served as a landmark crossing point since the sixteenth century, when it marked the western terminus of the Tokaido road from Edo. This woodblock print shows the bridge during summer, when the riverbanks host outdoor dining platforms called noryo-yuka and the warm evening air draws residents to the waterside. Koichi likely includes the distinctive stone pillars of the bridge, some of which survive from the original Toyotomi-era construction, alongside the bustle of summertime activity along the Kamo. The summer palette emphasizes greens and warm atmospheric tones, with the river itself providing a cool blue-gray axis through the center of the composition. Sanjo Bridge connects two of Kyoto's busiest commercial districts, giving the scene an urban energy unusual in Koichi's predominantly contemplative landscapes.