Famous Views of Tokyo: First National Bank of Japan
Description
A print from the Famous Views of Tokyo series depicting the First National Bank of Japan — one of the defining architectural symbols of Meiji modernization, designed by the architect Shimoda Kikutaro in a Japanese-Western hybrid style that was itself a visual metaphor for the era's cultural ambitions. The National Bank's presence in a famous-views series alongside temples and natural scenery signals the Meiji-era elevation of commercial and financial institutions to the status of civic landmarks, their modernity as worthy of commemoration as ancient heritage.
More Prints by Toyohara Chikanobu
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
Famous Views of Tokyo: First National Bank of Japan was created by Toyohara Chikanobu (豊原周延).
Famous Views of Tokyo: First National Bank of Japan depicts landscapes, set at Tokyo.