Miidera (Mii Temple) on the shores of Lake Biwa is rendered here under moonlight, with the lunar reflection likely playing across the nearby water. This nocturnal composition typically sells for $200-$600. The combination of historic architecture, moonlit water, and Asano's atmospheric printing technique produces one of his most contemplative works.
Moonlight in Mii Temple, dated 1952, presents the Onjoji Temple on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa — commonly called Mii-dera for the spring whose water was used in the purification of three successive emperors — in the exceptional light of moonlit night. The temple's famous bell (one of the three great bells of Japan, renowned for its tone) and its position overlooking Lake Biwa made it among the most evocative sacred sites associated with moonlight in the classical Japanese aesthetic tradition. Asano's nocturnal rendering captures the temple in the condition that classical poets and artists had celebrated for centuries.
伏見稲荷
Woodblock print
c. 1832/38
Color woodblock print; oban
Woodblock print
Uji Byodoin no ichibu
1921
Color woodblock print; oban
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Moonlight in Mii Temple was created by Takeji Asano (浅野竹二) in 1952.
Moonlight in Mii Temple uses Bokashi, Nishiki-e, and Moku-hanga, on woodblock print.
Moonlight in Mii Temple was published by Unsodo (1952).
Moonlight in Mii Temple depicts temples & shrines, moonlight, and night scenes.
