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
The Pond
1957
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
River-side
Woodblock print
Sacred Lake
Woodblock print
Hakone: Mt. Fuji over the Lake
Woodblock print
By the Lake in Snow (Kohan no Yuki)
Woodblock print
Inlet in Hokkaido
Woodblock print
Lake in Winter
20th century
Color woodblock print
![Title unknown [boaters on a mountain lake] by Maekawa Senpan](https://1.api.artsmia.org/800/136047.jpg)
Title unknown [boaters on a mountain lake]
mid 20th century
Woodblock print, ink on paper
![Kiba Lumberyard along the River at Fukugawa (New Edition) [Fukagawa-ku, kiba no kawasuji (shinpan)], from the series "One Hundred Views of Great Tokyo in the Showa Era (Showa dai Tokyo fukei hyaku zue hanga)" by Kishio Koizumi](https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/f6380c15-6d23-c26a-899d-08ead4db792b/full/843,/0/default.jpg)
Kiba Lumberyard along the River at Fukugawa (New Edition) [Fukagawa-ku, kiba no kawasuji (shinpan)], from the series "One Hundred Views of Great Tokyo in the Showa Era (Showa dai Tokyo fukei hyaku zue hanga)"
1940
Color woodblock print; oban
True Pictures of Famous Places in Tokyo: Honjo Warigesui Canal
Woodblock print
True Pictures of Famous Places in Tokyo: Ishiwarabashi Bridge on Okawa River
Woodblock print
True Pictures of Famous Places in Tokyo: Kandagawa River and Surugadai
Woodblock print
True Pictures of Famous Places in Tokyo: Koromogawa River Below Tenno-ji Temple
Woodblock print
True Pictures of Famous Places in Tokyo: Morning View of Ayasegawa River
Woodblock print
True Pictures of Famous Places in Tokyo: Night View of Sumidagawa River
Woodblock print
True Pictures of Famous Places in Tokyo: Sendai Canal, Fukagawa
Woodblock print
ANEGAWA (Ane River)
Woodblock print
SHIRAKAWA (Shira River)
Woodblock print
TAIKO-NO-ASA (Biwa Lake in Morning)
Woodblock print
Hori River, Matsue
Woodblock print
Forest Falls
Not set
Woodblock print
River Mist
Not set
Woodblock print
Spring Falls
Not set
Woodblock print
Hako-O Maru (Soga Goro as a Boy) near Waterfall, Writing Bonji Characters on a Rock, While Holding up an Statue of the God Fudo with one Hand.
Woodblock print
Roben Waterfall at Mount Oyama (Oyama Roben no taki)
c. 1818/20
Color woodblock prints; oban triptych
MORI NO OGAWA (brook in the forest)
Woodblock print
Brook at Hiyoshi Shrine
Woodblock print
Hotsugawa Kudari- Drifting the Hotsu River
Woodblock print
A Nocturnal Fuji, Lake Ashino (Ashino no yu Fuji)
Ashino no yu Fuji
1935
Color woodblock print
Kegon Waterfall - trial print
Woodblock print
Autumn at Fukuroda Falls, Ibaraki Prefecture (Fukuroda-no-taki no aki (Ibaraki ken)
Fukuroda-no-taki no aki (Ibaraki ken
1954
Color woodblock print
Kegon Waterfall - watercolour
Woodblock print
Kegon Waterfall - woodblock
Woodblock print
Lake and Waterfalls - trial print
Woodblock print
Lake and Waterfalls - woodblock
Woodblock print
Niagara Falls
Woodblock print
Sarusawa Pond (Nara)
Woodblock print
Lake Kawaguchi
Woodblock print
Lake Towada in Autumn — Towada Ko Shushoku
Woodblock print
A Ferry on the Sumida River in the Cherry Season
Woodblock print
A River in the Rain
Woodblock print
Bijin by Pond in Snow
Woodblock print
Sinobazu Pond At Night
Woodblock print
The Pond at Benten Shrine in Shiba (Shiba Benten ike)
Shiba Benten ike
1929
Color woodblock print; oban
the river Uji at moonrise in Kyoto
Woodblock print
Chikugo River
Woodblock print
Kamo River in Kyoto (Kamogawa)
Kamogawa
1933
Color woodblock print; oban
Hirosawa Pond
1950
Woodblock print
Moraine Lake
1925
Color woodblock print
Sarusawa Pond
1933
Color woodblock print
Shinobazu Pond
1928
Color woodblock print
Lake and Waterfalls
Not set
Woodblock print
Lake Biwa
Not set
Woodblock print
Lake Chuzenjiko in Autumn — 中禅寺湖
1928
Woodblock print
River Fireworks — 鴨川花火
Not set
Woodblock print
Sarusawa Pond in summer — 猿沢池
circa 1950-1970
Woodblock print
Silence of Kamo River
Not set
Woodblock print
Uji River flowing past Willow Trees
Not set
Woodblock print
Bridge Over River at Jehol, Manchuria
Woodblock print
On the River
1912
Color woodcut
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.