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
Water 128 I-Y.B.F.
2012
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Two Ducks Swimming Among Reeds
c. 1834/39
Color woodblock print; chu-tanzaku
ASA NO KAWA GOSHOKU
Woodblock print
Untitled (soseki-komori)
Woodblock print
Riverside
Woodblock print
Ochanomizu / Edo Meisho zue
Woodblock print
Arashiyama
Woodblock print
Water 107 Y-P.N.B.W.
2012
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Nakanoshima, from
Woodblock print
The National Diet from the Imperial Moat
19th–20th century
Woodblock print
Quiet Reflection
Woodblock print
On the Surface
Woodblock print
Benaras, Early Morning
1919
Woodblock print
Mukōjima
c. 1914–1916
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Taj Mahal Sunset
1919
Woodblock print
Kofunecho-gashi, from
Woodblock print
Omi Hakkei zenzu Ishiyama kara miru 近江八景全図石山から見る
Woodblock print
Scene with a Watergate
Woodblock print
Ochanomizu — お茶の水
Woodblock print
Water 74 I-U.B.F.
2012
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Sumidagawa
1933
Woodblock print
Gamman-ga-Fuchi in Nikko
Woodblock print
Arishiyama, Kyoto
Woodblock print
Fishing for Cormorants at Nagaragawa
Woodblock print
Tazura (On the Surface)
Woodblock print
Peaceful water
43/50, 1976
Woodblock print
Banyugawa
Woodblock print
Kakei (Shotei)
Woodblock print
Walter Joseph Phillips
Woodblock print
Waterslide
mid 20th century
Screen print, ink and color on paper
Katsushika
Woodblock print
Two Egrets
Woodblock print
Mennenbashi
Woodblock print
Nagareyama
Woodblock print
Oasis
1968
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Riverside
1916
Woodblock print
Sano, Seiji
1996
Woodblock print
Nagahama At Sunset - 長浜夕景
1996
Woodblock print
Yabakei
1918
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper with mica
Tama
Woodblock print
Udaipur
1916
color woodcut
Two Lakes
1921
Moor Hen
c. 1928–1930
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Mallard Ducks Swimming
泳ぐ鴨
c. 1915
Color woodblock print
Catching Fireflies in the Evining Cool
Woodblock print
Swan and Reeds
1928
Color woodblock print
White Geese and Reeds
1928
Color woodblock print; oban
Sumida Koen
Woodblock print
Arai: Remains of the Barrier Compound
Woodblock print
Ochanomizu
御茶ノ水
1956
Woodblock print
Numazu
Woodblock print
Mitsuke
Woodblock print
Mitsuke: Stone Embankment Along theRiver
Woodblock print
#52, Tanmeijiro Genshogo fighting General Ko underwater
Woodblock print
Lakeside at the Byödö-In
Woodblock print
Maisaka: Morning Glow
Woodblock print
FOUR DUCKS AT THE WATER'S EDGE
Woodblock print
Following the Dawn Mist
Woodblock print
Shimada
Woodblock print
Iizaka- Fukushima
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.