Chion-in, one of Kyoto's largest and most impressive temples, is shown here blanketed in snow with the massive sanmon gate likely visible in the composition. This variant typically sells for $150-$500. Asano's ability to convey the weight and silence of heavy snowfall transforms the familiar temple into something hushed and contemplative.
Snow at Chion-in Temple captures Kyoto's great Jodo Buddhist complex — home to the largest temple gate (sanmon) in Japan — in the seasonal transformation of winter snowfall. The massive sanmon gate, its dark timber structure emerging from accumulated snow, would have provided Asano with one of his most dramatically contrasted architectural subjects: enormous architectural mass rendered delicate by the softening effect of winter precipitation. Chion-in's position in the Higashiyama hills gave it a landscape setting that enhanced the atmospheric beauty of its snow-covered appearance.
Woodblock print
c. 1832/38
Color woodblock print; oban
Yuki no Miyajima
1929
Color woodblock print; oban
1932
Woodblock print
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Snow at Chioin Temple was created by Takeji Asano (浅野竹二).
Snow at Chioin Temple uses Bokashi, Nishiki-e, and Moku-hanga, on woodblock print.
Snow at Chioin Temple was published by Unsodo.
Snow at Chioin Temple depicts snow scenes and temples & shrines.
