Hanga

Landscapes Prints (3812)

Landscapes are the most celebrated subject in Japanese woodblock printmaking, encompassing mountain vistas, coastal panoramas, river valleys, and rural scenes that have defined the genre for centuries. The tradition reached its first peak with Hokusai's "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" (1831) and Hiroshige's "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" (1833-34), series that established the meisho-e (famous places) format as a cornerstone of ukiyo-e. Shin-hanga artists of the early twentieth century, particularly Kawase Hasui and Hiroshi Yoshida, reinvented the landscape tradition by combining Western atmospheric effects with Japanese compositional sensibilities. Hasui's snow scenes and twilight views of rural Japan became iconic, while Yoshida's mountain studies introduced plein-air observation techniques unprecedented in woodblock printing. Sosaku-hanga artists like Toshi Yoshida and Shiro Kasamatsu further expanded the landscape vocabulary through personal expression and experimental color palettes. Japanese landscape prints typically emphasize seasonal atmosphere, weather conditions, and the interplay between human presence and natural grandeur. The use of bokashi (graduated color) and multiple impression techniques creates depth and luminosity that distinguish woodblock landscapes from other printmaking traditions.

Artists Known for Landscapes

Takawana (Tawanaka)  by Utagawa Hiroshige

Takawana (Tawanaka)

1862

Print

Kyoto (Kyō)  by Utagawa Hiroshige

Kyoto (Kyō)

Print

Sakanoshita (Sakanoshita)  by Utagawa Hiroshige

Sakanoshita (Sakanoshita)

Print

A HUNDRED VIEWS OF FAMOUS PLACES IN THE VARIOUS PROVINCES, "KYOTO SHIJO YU SUZUMI" by Utagawa Hiroshige

A HUNDRED VIEWS OF FAMOUS PLACES IN THE VARIOUS PROVINCES, "KYOTO SHIJO YU SUZUMI"

Late Edo period, dated 1859

Ink on paper

An English Soldier (Igirisu), published by Jōshūya Jūzo by Utagawa Hiroshige

An English Soldier (Igirisu), published by Jōshūya Jūzo

Late Edo period, tenth month of 1860

Yokohama woodblock print in ōban format; ink and color on paper

DUCK AND BAMBOO by Utagawa Hiroshige

DUCK AND BAMBOO

Ukiyo-e woodblock print; ink and color on paper

from the series Cut-out Pictures of the Fifty-three Stations (Gojūsan tsugi harimaze) by Utagawa Hiroshige

from the series Cut-out Pictures of the Fifty-three Stations (Gojūsan tsugi harimaze)

20th century

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Kawasaki, from the 53 Stations of the Tokaido by Utagawa Hiroshige

Kawasaki, from the 53 Stations of the Tokaido

19th century

No. 18, Okitsu: Shiohama, Kiyomigaseki, from the series The Tōkaidō Road, The Fifty-three Stations (Tōkaidō, Gojūsan tsugi no uchi) by Utagawa Hiroshige

No. 18, Okitsu: Shiohama, Kiyomigaseki, from the series The Tōkaidō Road, The Fifty-three Stations (Tōkaidō, Gojūsan tsugi no uchi)

Precincts of the Shiba Shinmei Shrine (Shiba Shinmei keidai), from the series Famous Places in the Eastern Capital (Tōto meisho) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Precincts of the Shiba Shinmei Shrine (Shiba Shinmei keidai), from the series Famous Places in the Eastern Capital (Tōto meisho)

20th century

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Sparrows and Camellia by Utagawa Hiroshige

Sparrows and Camellia

19th century

Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper

Shrine Gate Pass at Rokusozan in Kazusa Province (Kazusa Rokusozan Torii-tōge), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fuji sanjūrokkei) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Shrine Gate Pass at Rokusozan in Kazusa Province (Kazusa Rokusozan Torii-tōge), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fuji sanjūrokkei)

1852, 12th month

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Original Fuji, Meguro (Meguro Moto-Fuji), Number 25 from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Original Fuji, Meguro (Meguro Moto-Fuji), Number 25 from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei)

Edo period, dated 1856 (4th month)

Ukiyo-e woodblock print in "ōban" format; ink and color on paper

Hall of Thirty-Three Bays, Fukagawa (Fukagawa Sanjūsangendō), Number 69 from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Hall of Thirty-Three Bays, Fukagawa (Fukagawa Sanjūsangendō), Number 69 from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei)

Edo period, dated 1857 (8th month)

Ukiyo-e woodblock print in "ōban" format; ink and color on paper

Nihonbashi, from the series Thirty-six Views of the Eastern Capital (Tōto sanjūrokkei) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Nihonbashi, from the series Thirty-six Views of the Eastern Capital (Tōto sanjūrokkei)

Late Edo period, 1861

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Snapper (Isaki), Scorpionfish (Kasago) and Ginger (Shin shōga), from the series A Shoal of Fishes (Uo-zukushi) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Snapper (Isaki), Scorpionfish (Kasago) and Ginger (Shin shōga), from the series A Shoal of Fishes (Uo-zukushi)

Late Edo period, 19th century

Ukiyo-e woodblock print in "ōban" format; ink and color on paper

Cherry Blossoms in the Yoshiwara (Yoshiwara sakura no zu), from the series Famous Places in Edo (Kōto meisho) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Cherry Blossoms in the Yoshiwara (Yoshiwara sakura no zu), from the series Famous Places in Edo (Kōto meisho)

20th century

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Clamdigging at Shinagawa (Shinagawa shiohigari), Waterfall River at Ōji (Ōji Taki-no-kawa), and Suijin Wood and the Shrine at Massaki (Suijin mori Massaki yashiro), from the series Cutout Pictures of Famous Places in Edo (Edo meisho harimaze zue) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Clamdigging at Shinagawa (Shinagawa shiohigari), Waterfall River at Ōji (Ōji Taki-no-kawa), and Suijin Wood and the Shrine at Massaki (Suijin mori Massaki yashiro), from the series Cutout Pictures of Famous Places in Edo (Edo meisho harimaze zue)

20th century

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Dance of the Star of Longevity at Kaimongatake, Makurazaki, Satsuma Province (Sasshū Makurazaki Kaimongatake Jusei odori), from the series One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces (Shokoku meisho hyakkei) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Dance of the Star of Longevity at Kaimongatake, Makurazaki, Satsuma Province (Sasshū Makurazaki Kaimongatake Jusei odori), from the series One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces (Shokoku meisho hyakkei)

20th century

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Evening Bell at Shōmyō (Shōmyō banshō), from the series Eight Views of Kanazawa (Kanazawa hakkei) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Evening Bell at Shōmyō (Shōmyō banshō), from the series Eight Views of Kanazawa (Kanazawa hakkei)

20th century

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

from the series Illustrated Tale of the Soga Brothers (Soga monogatari zue) by Utagawa Hiroshige

from the series Illustrated Tale of the Soga Brothers (Soga monogatari zue)

20th century

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Large-Eye Seabream (Mede tai) and Bamboo Grass (Sasa), from the series A Shoal of Fishes (Uo-zukushi) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Large-Eye Seabream (Mede tai) and Bamboo Grass (Sasa), from the series A Shoal of Fishes (Uo-zukushi)

19th century

Ukiyo-e woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Station 50 -- Spring Rain at Tsuchiyama (Tsuchiyama, haru no ame), from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō gojūsan-tsugi no uchi) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Station 50 -- Spring Rain at Tsuchiyama (Tsuchiyama, haru no ame), from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō gojūsan-tsugi no uchi)

19th century

Ukiyo-e woodblock print in "ōban" format; ink and color on paper

THIRTY-SIX VIEWS OF YEDO, "FUKAGAWA HACHIMAN" by Utagawa Hiroshige

THIRTY-SIX VIEWS OF YEDO, "FUKAGAWA HACHIMAN"

19th century

Ink on paper

Morning Sun by Asai Chu

Morning Sun

Oil on canvas

Lobster (Ise ebi) and Prawn (Ama ebi), from the series A Shoal of Fishes (Uo-zukushi) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Lobster (Ise ebi) and Prawn (Ama ebi), from the series A Shoal of Fishes (Uo-zukushi)

20th century

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Okazaki, from the series Cut-out Pictures of Fifty-three Stations (Gojūsan tsugi harimaze) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Okazaki, from the series Cut-out Pictures of Fifty-three Stations (Gojūsan tsugi harimaze)

20th century

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

SMALL SERIES OF THE 53 STATIONS OF THE TOKAIDO. by Utagawa Hiroshige

SMALL SERIES OF THE 53 STATIONS OF THE TOKAIDO.

19th century

Ukiyo-e woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Sunset Glow at Nojima (Nojima yūshō), from the series Eight Views of Kanazawa (Kanazawa hakkei) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Sunset Glow at Nojima (Nojima yūshō), from the series Eight Views of Kanazawa (Kanazawa hakkei)

20th century

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Hase Temple, Yamato Province (Yamato Hasedera), from the series One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces (Shokoku meisho hyakkei) by Utagawa Hiroshige II

Hase Temple, Yamato Province (Yamato Hasedera), from the series One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces (Shokoku meisho hyakkei)

諸国名所百景 大和初瀬寺

1859

Color woodblock print

The Interior of the Gankirō in Yokohama (Yokohama Gankirō mikomi no zu) by Utagawa Hiroshige II

The Interior of the Gankirō in Yokohama (Yokohama Gankirō mikomi no zu)

横浜岩亀楼見込之図

1860

Color woodblock print; ōban triptych

Fisherwomen by Asai Chu

Fisherwomen

Oil on canvas

Related Subjects

Frequently Asked Questions

Landscapes are the most celebrated subject in Japanese woodblock printmaking, encompassing mountain vistas, coastal panoramas, river valleys, and rural scenes that have defined the genre for centuries. The tradition reached its first peak with Hokusai's "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" (1831) and Hiroshige's "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" (1833-34), series that established the meisho-e (famous places) format as a cornerstone of ukiyo-e.

Utagawa Hiroshige, Kawase Hasui, and Hiroshi Yoshida are among the artists most associated with landscapes in our collection. Browse the full list of artists who explored this subject above.

Hanga currently catalogues 3812 prints tagged with landscapes, spanning ukiyo-e, shin-hanga, and sōsaku-hanga traditions where applicable.