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
Golden Pavillion in the mist
Woodblock print
Arashiyama, Kyoto
Woodblock print
Char Fishing in the rocks
Woodblock print
Eko
Woodblock print
Huam Carp07543
Woodblock print
Nobleman Boating
Woodblock print
Shinobazu ike
Woodblock print
A Watermill Affixed to a Shed
Woodblock print
Kyoto riverbanks
Woodblock print
Mitate No.2 - Wind (Kawa)
1998
Kagoshima kenka koutotsu kawatake saku no zu 鹿児島縣下甲突川竹柵之図
Woodblock print
Inubozaki Cape, Inubo Point
Woodblock print
Cormorants
Woodblock print
Captain Matsuzaki, Picture of Him Bravely Fighting at Anseong Ford
1895
Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
Hayase
Woodblock print
Arashiyama - 嵐山
Woodblock print
Crabs in shallow water
Woodblock print
Nan hei, Peking
Woodblock print
Untitled (takashi-henmi)
Woodblock print
Ukai, cormerant fishing
Woodblock print
Yoshikawa
1935
Color woodblock print
Soshu (Suzhou)
Woodblock print
Relaxing on the banks of the Sumidagawa
Woodblock print
Fishing in the Morning Mist
Woodblock print
Boats Moored at Piers
Woodblock print
Two Ducks in a Lilypond, Taishô period, dated 1920 (9th Year of the Taishô Era)
Taishô period, 1912-1926
Woodblock print
Kamakochi
Woodblock print
Bandaibashi asahi hinode (Sunrise at Bandaibashi)
Woodblock print
Tokyo Shin-O-Hashi ame-chu zu
Woodblock print
Bookstore, Seine, Paris, Shôwa period, dated 1960
Woodblock print
Island Palaces in Udaipur
1932
Woodblock print
Imado
Woodblock print
Tennoji shimo Koromogawa
Woodblock print
Kamogawa Cherries
1984
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Kurashiki, Okayama (B)
1965
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Ryōgoku After the Fire
1881 (Meiji 14)
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Reservoir
Woodblock print
Imado ariake takadone no kei
Woodblock print
Tameike, from
Woodblock print
Yanagiwara ya-u
Woodblock print
Two Birds on Reeds
c. 1928–1930
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Fishing (1)
Woodblock print
Fireflies at Ochanomizu — 御茶水螢
Woodblock print
Okunotani, Tsukigase, from
Woodblock print
Ochanomizu hotaru
Woodblock print
Sunrise at Hyappongui, Ryōgoku, Tokyo
1879 (Meiji 12)
Woodblock print (nishiki-e): ink and color on paper
Venice
Woodblock print
Untitled (hiyoshi-mamoru)
Woodblock print
Ochanomizu yuki
Woodblock print
Okunotani at Tsukigase
Woodblock print
Sunset at the Mukojima Hyappon-Kui — 向島百本杭の夕焼
Woodblock print
Untitled (ishiwata-koitsu)
Woodblock print
Nakanoshima
Woodblock print
Untitled (ishiwata-koitsu)
Woodblock print
Untitled (ishiwata-koitsu)
Woodblock print
Untitled (ishiwata-koitsu)
Woodblock print
Untitled (ishiwata-koitsu)
Woodblock print
Untitled (ishiwata-koitsu)
Woodblock print
Untitled (ishiwata-koitsu)
Woodblock print
Untitled (ishiwata-koitsu)
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.