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
#26. Gohyakurakan
Woodblock print
Doton-bori
Woodblock print
Mallard Ducks
Woodblock print
Ghat in Benares (Benaresu no gatto)
Benaresu no gatto
1931
Color woodblock print; oban
Suzhou
1940
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Kawanishi in Tochigi Prefecture
1947
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Settsu Temma-bashi / Shokoku Meikyo Kiran
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Ikenohana
1937
Color woodblock print
Yamashiro Arashiyama Togetsukyo / Shokoku Meikyo Kiran
Woodblock print
#29. Eilaibashi
Woodblock print
Gallinule- moorhen
Woodblock print
Ducks in Water
c. 1928–1930
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Suzukawa
1935
Woodblock print
Kamogawa in Kyoto
1933
Color woodblock print
Ushibori (Ushibori)
1930
Color woodblock print
Yugashima, Ito (Ito Yugashima)
1936
Color woodblock print; oban
Kawara Spa, Joshu (Joshu Kawarayu)
1948
Color woodblock print
Chinese Verses on Itako (Itako zekku shu)
Woodblock print
Mikawa no Yatsubashi no kozu / Shokoku Meikyo Kiran
Woodblock print
#28. Fukagawahachiman
Woodblock print
Flood
1966
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Water wheel
Woodblock print
Ookawabata
Not set
Watercolor
#39. Akabane
Woodblock print
Kiyokawa
Woodblock print
Shakujii
1937
Woodblock print, color on paper
Courtly event modeled on the Lanting Gathering
c. 1801/07
Color woodblock print; ebangire, surimono
Moorhens
1929
Color woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Riverside
1935
Woodblock print
Arashiyama, Kyoto
n.d. [1952]
Color woodblock print
Kawarahata, Gunma Prefecture (Kawarahata (Gunma ken))
1955
Color woodblock print
Ferryboat
c. 1798
Color woodblock print
#19. Matsuchiyama
Woodblock print
#23. Yanagijima
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Kamogawa
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Shiba Furukawa — 芝古川
Woodblock print
Sanjo Ohashi
Woodblock print
Toyoko, Horikawa, from
Woodblock print
Water K.Y.-5
1990s
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Iwabuchi
1916
Woodblock print
Seta Ishiyama
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Ayu - 鮎
Woodblock print
Untitled (nomura-yoshimitsu)
Woodblock print
Biwako Breeze
Not set
Woodblock print
Yanagibashi
Woodblock print
Kaizu Osaki — 海津大崎の
Woodblock print
Morning Mist at Sanjo
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.