Hanga
Early Spring at Yōmeimon by Hiratsuka Un'ichi — Japanese Woodblock print, ink on paper, 1959

Early Spring at Yōmeimon

by Hiratsuka Un'ichi

Sōsaku-hanga
Spring
Date:
1959
Medium:
Woodblock print, ink on paper
Dimensions:
33.5 × 27.3 cm
Edition:
Self-printed

Description

The Yōmeimon, the ornate gate of Nikkō Tōshō-gū, presents Hiratsuka with one of Japan's most elaborately decorated architectural subjects. He renders it in early spring — bare branches against the gate's carved and gilded superstructure — choosing a season that emphasizes form over atmosphere. The 1959 woodblock, ink on paper, shows his disciplined approach to complex architectural ornament.

More Prints by Hiratsuka Un'ichi

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Camellia by Hiratsuka Un'ichi

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1950

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The summit by Hiratsuka Un'ichi

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Chichibu, Nagatoro by Hiratsuka Un'ichi

Chichibu, Nagatoro

Mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock)

More Spring Prints

Spring Dusk at the Tōshō Shrine in Ueno by Kawase Hasui

Spring Dusk at the Tōshō Shrine in Ueno

1948

Woodblock print, ink and color on paper

Heian Shrine in the Spring by Tomikichiro Tokuriki

Heian Shrine in the Spring

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Spring at Pyongyang (Pubyok Pavilion from Moran Hill) by Kawase Hasui

Spring at Pyongyang (Pubyok Pavilion from Moran Hill)

1939

Woodblock print, ink and color on paper

Departing Spring by Kawase Hasui

Departing Spring

Spring 1925

Woodblock print, ink and color on paper with mica

Featured in Collections

Curated cross-cuts that include this print.

Sōsaku-Hanga: The Creative-Print Movement

Frequently Asked Questions

Early Spring at Yōmeimon was created by Hiratsuka Un'ichi (平塚運一) in 1959.

Early Spring at Yōmeimon depicts spring.

Early Spring at Yōmeimon measures 33.5 × 27.3 cm.