Rivers & Lakes Prints (761)
Rivers and lakes are a recurring motif in Japanese woodblock printmaking, reflecting Japan's geography and the cultural significance of waterways as transportation routes, sources of livelihood, and subjects of poetic contemplation. From the broad Sumida River winding through Edo to mountain lakes reflecting volcanic peaks, water features anchor some of the tradition's most atmospheric compositions. Hiroshige's depictions of rivers were central to his landscape practice, appearing throughout the "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" and dedicated series like "Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces." His ability to render water in varied states — rushing rapids, still reflections, rain-dimpled surfaces — demonstrated the woodblock medium's range. The Sumida River alone appears in dozens of ukiyo-e masterworks, its bridges, boats, and seasonal character providing an inexhaustible subject. Shin-hanga artists brought new atmospheric sensitivity to water subjects. Kawase Hasui's lakeside scenes, particularly his views of Lake Kawaguchi with Mount Fuji reflected in still water, became defining images of the movement. Hiroshi Yoshida applied watercolor-like tonal subtlety to his river and lake scenes, while Tsuchiya Koitsu captured the interplay of artificial light and water surfaces in his evening views.
Artists Known for Rivers & Lakes
Lake Chuzenji, Nikko (Nikko Chuzenjiko)
Nikko Chuzenjiko
1930
Color woodblock print; oban
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
Gosai Canal in Niigata (Niigata Gosaibori), from the series "Souvenirs of Travel, Second Series (Tabi miyage dai nishu)"
Niigata Gosaibori
1921
Color woodblock print; oban
The Hori River at Obama (Obama Horikawa), from the series "Souvenirs of Travel, First Series (Tabi miyage dai isshu)"
Obama Horikawa
1920
Color woodblock print; oban
Mishima River, Mutsu
Summer 1919
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Dawn over Lake Shoji
c. 1935
Color woodblock print; shikishiban
Fuji River
February 1933
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Late Snow Along Edo River
1932
Woodblock print
Nakabusa River Rapids
1926
Color woodblock print
Sarusawa Pond in Nara
c. 1935
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Red River Road
The Sumida River in Mist (Sumidagawa, kiri), from the series "Twelve Scenes of Tokyo (Tokyo junidai)"
Sumidagawa, kiri
1926
Color woodblock print; oban
Kegon Falls, Nikko (Nikko Kegon-no-taki)
n.d.
Color woodblock print
Kegon Falls, Nikko (Nikko Kegon no taki)
1927
Color woodblock print; oban
Daybreak over Lake Yamanaka (Yamanakako no akatsuki)
1931
Color woodblock print
![Evening Snow at Edo River (Kure no yuki [Edogawa]) by Kawase Hasui](https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/4d1fe813-5700-5aa1-6d32-3fd3b59a41eb/full/843,/0/default.jpg)
Evening Snow at Edo River (Kure no yuki [Edogawa])
1932
Color woodblock print; oban
Fudo Hill, Lake Yamanaka (Yamanakako, Fudozaka)
1936
Color woodblock print; oban
Moonlight in Sarusawa Pond, Nara
猿沢の池月光
Woodblock print
Horai Rock, Kiso River, from the series "Souvenirs of Travel, Third Series" (Tabi miyage dai sanshu, Kisogawa Horaiiwa)
1928
Color woodblock print
Inokashira Pond (Inokashira no ike)
1928
Color woodblock print; o-oban
Mountain Stream, Shôwa period, dated 1956
Woodblock print
Katsuura Inlet, Kii (Kii Katsuura)
1951
Color woodblock print
Kiso River Glowing Light at Fuji (Kisogawa yugure no Fuji)
1930s
Color woodblock print
Kiso River, Inuyama (Kisogawa (Inuyama))
n.d. [c. 1927]
Color woodblock print
Inawashiro Lake
猪苗代湖
Woodblock print
Lake Towada
十和田湖
Woodblock print
Lake Toya
洞爺湖
Woodblock print
Kotsuki River, Kagoshima, from the series "Selection of Scenes from Japan" (Nihon fukei senshu, Kagoshima Kotsukigawa)
1922
Color woodblock print
Meiji juyonnen ichigatsu ni juroku-nichi shukka Hama-cho yori utsushita Ryogoku taika
Woodblock print
Lake Toya
Woodblock print
Carp Ascending Falls
late 19th century
Color woodblock print
Lake Hachirogata, Akita, from the series "Souvenirs of Travel, Third Series" (Tabi miyage dai sanshu, Akita Hachirogata)
1927
Color woodblock print
Lake Haruna (Harunako)
October 1935
Color woodblock print
Along the River
Woodblock print
Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiko)
May 1932
Color woodblock print
Lake Kawaguchi Oishi (Kawaguchiko Oishi)
n.d. [1942}
Color woodblock print
Lake Matsubara, Shinshu (Shinshu Matsubarako)
1941
Color woodblock print
Late Autumn at Lake Yamanaka (Yamanakako no banshu)
1947
Color woodblock print
Lingering Snow at Senzoku Pond (Senzokuike no zanesetsu)
1951
Color woodblock print
Matsubara Lake in Shinano Province (Shinshu Matsubarako)
1941
Color woodblock print; oban
Minuma River at Omiya (Omiya Minumagawa)
1930
Color woodblock print; oban
Kaga Sanchu, Taishô period?
Woodblock print
Waterfall
Woodblock print
Mt. Fuji from Shiraiko Lake - Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji
Woodblock print
Morning at Ao Marsh, Ura Heights (Urabandai Aonumano asa)
1949
Color woodblock print
Fireflies at Uji River
Woodblock print
Naga Pool, Chichibu (Chichibu Nagatoro)
1947
Color woodblock print
Nezame on the Kiso River (Kiso no Nezame), from the series "Selection of Views of Japan (Nihon fukei senshu)"
1925
Color woodblock print; oban
Scene at a Bridge over a Stream, with Nine Figures and Cottages, from the book The Stamping Song of Men (Otoko toka)
Woodblock print
Snow on the banks of the Kamo River (Kamo tsutsumi no yuki) from the series Kyoraku Meisho (Famous places about Kyoto).
Woodblock print
Evening Shower at the Bank of Tadasu River (Tadasugawara no yudachi), from the series "Famous Places in Kyoto (Kyoto meisho no uchi)"
c. 1834
Color woodblock print; oban
Shinobazu Pond in Rain (Shinobazu no ike no ame), from the series "Twenty Views of Tokyo (Tokyo nijukkei)"
1929
Color woodblock print; oban
Tone River
1926
Color woodblock print
Snow at a Guest House on Pond's Edge (Chihan kyakushitshu no yuki)
1920
Color woodblock print
Tega Marsh (Teganuma)
1930
Color woodblock print
Ushiku Marsh (Ushikunuma)
n.d.
Color woodblock print
Chinese Bridge at Seta, from the series Eight Views of Lake Biwa (ōmi hakkei)
1918
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Winter at Lake Ashino (Ashinoko no fuyu)
1949
Color woodblock print
Yanagawa River, Chikugo (Chikugo Yanagawa)
1949
Color woodblock print
Yanagi Ferry, Yoshino River (Yoshino Yanagi no watashi)
1950
Color woodblock print
Related Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Rivers and lakes are a recurring motif in Japanese woodblock printmaking, reflecting Japan's geography and the cultural significance of waterways as transportation routes, sources of livelihood, and subjects of poetic contemplation. From the broad Sumida River winding through Edo to mountain lakes reflecting volcanic peaks, water features anchor some of the tradition's most atmospheric compositions.
Kawase Hasui, Hiroshi Yoshida, and Kobayashi Kiyochika are among the artists most associated with rivers & lakes in our collection. Browse the full list of artists who explored this subject above.
Hanga currently catalogues 761 prints tagged with rivers & lakes, spanning ukiyo-e, shin-hanga, and sōsaku-hanga traditions where applicable.