Famous Views of Tokyo: First National Bank of Japan

Medium:: Woodblock print
Format:: Oban
Source:: etm

Typical Price

Fine condition print with vibrant colors: $300–$1,000
Good condition standard print: $100–$400
Common subject or faded impression: $30–$150

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

Resembling a Branch (Eda ni utsusu), from the series The Appearance of Upper-Class Women of the Edo Period (Tokugawa jidai kifujin no sugata) -- Woman with a Doll

Meiji period, dated October 10, 1896

Woodblock print in "ōban" format; ink and color on paper

The Fall of Jinzhou

Woodblock print

Dance Party: Enjoying Cherry Blossom Viewing at Ueno

Woodblock print

Kagoshima senki

Woodblock print

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.

Mount Fuji in Japanese Woodblock Prints Meisho-e: Famous-Place Prints

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.