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
Oniwakamaru Observing the Great Carp in the Pond, from the series "New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts"
1889
Color woodblock print
Top: Cheerful Foxes at the Mimeguri Shrine on the Banks of the Sumida River; Bottom: A famous jockey at Shōkonsha
January 1881
Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
South Lake
Woodblock print
Waterfall at Meguro (Meguro no taki), from the series One Hundred Views of the East (Azuma hyakkei no uchi)
Woodblock print
A Night at Sumida River
ca. 1881
Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
Advancing across the Ansong River at the Battle of Asan
1894 (Meiji 27)
Woodblock print (nishiki-e) triptych; ink and colors on paper
Evening on the Sumida River
Woodblock print
Ishirara Bridge and the Banks of the O River
Woodblock print
Koromo River below Tennō-ji Temple
1880
Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
Lake Chuzenji, Nikko, from
Woodblock print
Our Scout Reconnoiters the Enemy Camp Near the Yalu River
Woodblock print
Picture of Our Scouts Reconnoiter the Enemy Camp near Yalu River
October 1894?
Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
Pond with Autumn Foliage
Woodblock print
Murasaki Shikibu Writing on a Veranda Overlooking a Lake
Woodblock print
Horse Races by Shinobazu Pond, Ueno
Woodblock print
Japanese Customs: Enjoying the Morning Dew Beside Shinobazu Pond
Woodblock print
Travels with the Master: Niagara Falls (Meishou To No Tabi: Naiagura bakufu)
Woodblock print
Boating parties on the Sumida River
c. 1808/12
Color woodblock print; nagaban, surimono
Boats transporting rice on the Sumida River
c. 1800/05
Color woodblock print; nagaban, surimono
Ono Falls on the Kiso Kaido Road (Kisokaido Ono no bakufu), from the series Tour of the Waterfalls in Various Provinces (Shokoku Taki meguri)
Woodblock print
Panoramic Views along the Banks of Sumida River (Ehon Sumidagawa ryogan ichiran)
Woodblock print
Tama River in Musashi Province (Bushu Tamagawa), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjurokkei)
Woodblock print
The Mokuboji Temple by the Sumida River
1785-1787
Yoro Waterfall in Mino Province (Mino no kuni Yoro no taki), from the series Tour of the Waterfalls in Various Provinces (Shokoku Takimeguri)
Woodblock print
Five Pines on Konagi River
Woodblock print
Five Slabbed Stones on Pinnacle Overlooking Inlet
Woodblock print
Hakone: View of the Lake (Hakone, kosui no zu), from the series "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road (Tokaido gojusan tsugi no uchi)," also known as the Hoeido Tokaido
c. 1833/34
Color woodblock print; oban
Mitsuke: View of the Tenryu River (Mitsuke, Tenryugawa zu), from the series "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido (Tokaido gojusan tsugi no uchi)," also known as the Hoeido Tokaido
c. 1833/34
Color woodblock print; oban
Shimada: The Suruga Bank of the Oi River (Shimada, Oigawa Sungan), from the series "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road (Tokaido gojusan tsugi no uchi)," also known as the Hoeido Tokaido
c. 1833/34
Color woodblock print; oban
Yodo River (Yodogawa), from the series "Famous Places in Kyoto (Kyoto meisho no uchi)"
c. 1834
Color woodblock print; oban
Geisha Standing on the Bank of the Sumida River (from the series People Who Like the Latest Fashions and Manners)
early 1830s
color woodblock print
Kanchkotsuritsu Shuki, bare-chested and tattooed, on a balcony overlooking a river. In his bow, a humming-bulb arrow containing a secret message.
Woodblock print
Koman swimming, with the Minamoto banner in Lake Biwa, is attacked by Sanemori in a Taira barge.
Woodblock print
Kwanu Destroying the Seven Armies of Gi (Wei) in a Great River Battle
Woodblock print
Hira
Woodblock print
Reflections
1966
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Funatsu, from
1928
Woodblock print
Shiba Benten ike
1929
Color woodcut
Shikishimagawara, Maebashi (Maebashi Shikishimagawara)
1942
Color woodblock print
Flow
1955
Color woodblock print
Kozuke Sano fune-bashi no kozu / Shokoku Meikyo Kiran
Woodblock print
Suo-no-kuni Kintai-bashi / Shokoku Meikyo Kiran
Woodblock print
Riverside in Morning
1964
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Passionate of the Water Fowl
1960
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Hataori in Shiobara
1946
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Morning at the Arayu Spa, Shiobara (Toyado no asa (Shiobara Arayu))
1946
Color woodblock print
#9. Shinobazunoike Benten
Woodblock print
Miotsukushi
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Tansui
1941
Woodblock print
Chuzenji, Utagahama (Chuzenji Utagahama)
Chuzenji Utagahama
1931
Color woodblock print; oban
#22. Ryokoku
Woodblock print
#16. Horikiri
Woodblock print
#17. Sumidagawa
Woodblock print
Shiogama, Shiobara
Autumn 1918
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Diary: Nov. 3rd, '12, in Hangzhou
2012
Woodcut, silkscreen
Saru Crag, Shiobara (Shiobara Saruiwa)
1949
Color woodblock print
Water Mirror (B)
1962
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
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.