Trees Prints (493)
Trees are a fundamental compositional element and independent subject in Japanese woodblock printmaking, appearing as framing devices, atmospheric indicators, and primary subjects that showcase the medium's ability to render organic form through carved wood. The woodblock technique has a natural affinity for depicting trees — the carved lines of the block echo the texture of bark and branch, creating a material sympathy between medium and subject. Pine trees (matsu) hold particular cultural significance in Japanese art, symbolizing longevity, resilience, and the endurance of virtue. Prints featuring wind-bent pines along coastlines, ancient pines in temple gardens, and the famous pine groves of Miho and Karasaki recur throughout the tradition. Cherry trees in blossom (sakura) are equally iconic, their brief flowering season providing a powerful metaphor for the transience celebrated in Japanese aesthetics. Other tree subjects — weeping willows along canals, cryptomeria avenues leading to shrines, autumn maples (momiji) blazing with color — serve as seasonal markers and atmospheric elements that anchor landscape compositions in specific times and places. Shin-hanga artists like Hasui and Yoshida paid particular attention to trees as compositional elements, using them to frame distant views, create depth, and establish the atmospheric mood that distinguishes their landscape prints from earlier ukiyo-e conventions.
Artists Known for Trees
A colorful abstract illustration of a tree with multicolored leaves and branches, titled 'Feeling Fall' with date '16/16 2025' and signed 'SPITZACK' at the bottom.
pondo 2025 ponderosa pine woodcut print woodblock printmaker charles spitzack tree mokuhanga shina plywood seattle art artist fine art contemporary
Barn Demo 2025 barn and tree on hill farm moon woodcut woodblock print printmaking printmaker charles spitzack artist artwork contemporary lino linocut washi seattle
seattle print series seattle for sale sign woodblock woodcut Japanese mokuhanga print printmaking washi seattle art fine printmaker nw printmaking relief prints tree white flowers color woodcut contemporary artist pnw seattle print arts
love birds pratt valentines day card parrot woodblock woodcut Japanese mokuhanga print printmaking washi seattle art fine printmaker nw printmaking relief prints tree white flowers color woodcut contemporary artist pnw seattle print arts
warm days cool nights woodblock woodcut Japanese mokuhanga print printmaking washi seattle art fine printmaker nw printmaking relief prints tree moon color woodcut contemporary artist pnw seattle print arts
2024 spitzack fort worden tree study woodcut print woodblock mokuhanga seattle art artist relief printmaking lino
2024 spitzack fort worden tree study woodcut print woodblock mokuhanga seattle art artist relief printmaking lino linocut
2024 spitzack port townsend tree study woodcut print woodblock mokuhanga seattle art artist relief printmaking lino linocut
2024 spitzack fort worden tree study madrone madrona Arbutus menziesii woodcut print woodblock mokuhanga seattle art artist relief printmaking lino linocut
2023 spitzack stay flexible woodcut woodblock mokuhanga seattle art artist print printmaking palm tree mountain ocean waves
The Sacred Tree — 賢木
Woodblock print
Graphic Studio Dublin • Ed Miliano: Autumn Tree (small)
SHIROI KI D (White Tree D)
Woodblock print
SHIROIHAYASHI F (white forest F)
Woodblock print
Autumn Maple Leaves at Takao, from the album Eight Views of Kyoto (Kyôto hakkei)
Woodblock print
Sample work 02 — flower / tree (cedar woodblock series)
Woodblock print on washi (cedar boards)
Sample work 03 — figure / portrait (cedar woodblock series)
Woodblock print on washi (cedar boards)
Metsä 1 (Forest)
Drypoint on copper plate
Pine 12
Drypoint on copper plate
Pine 13
Drypoint on copper plate
Pine 3
Drypoint on copper plate
Pine 4
Drypoint on copper plate
Pine 5
Drypoint on copper plate
Pine 6
Drypoint on copper plate
Pine 7
Drypoint on copper plate
Pine 8
Drypoint on copper plate
Pine Tree at Karasaki (Karasaki no matsu), from the series "Eight Views of Ômi (Ômi hakkei)"
Woodblock print
Chiryü: Roadside Pine Trees
Woodblock print
Tsuchiyama, Forest Road 53, Stations of the Tokaido
Woodblock print
Tsuchiyama: Path through a Forest
Woodblock print
In the Shade of a Tree
Woodblock print
Ancient Pine at Onshi, Shiba Park
Woodblock print
National Tree Planting Exercise — 国土緑化運動
Woodblock print
Cherry Tree
Woodblock print
Persimmon tree and a pair of Greenfinches
Woodblock print
Plum Tree
Lithograph
Wave and Pine
Lithograph
Bamboo Forest
Woodblock print
Bamboo in the Wind
Woodblock print
Forest in Nara
Woodblock print
Plum Tree Garden
Woodblock print
Forest Where Blue Fish Live
Etching and aquatint
Three of the Moon, Tree of Wind and Small Boat
2006
Etching and aquatint
Pine Tree (Matsu)
Woodblock print
Weeping Beech Tree, Shôwa period, dated 1967
Woodblock print
Bamboo
Woodblock print
Beauty and Pine
Woodblock print
Chapter 44 - Takegawa- Courtiers under a wisteria draped pine tree
Woodblock print
Hat with tree peony
Woodblock print
Maple
Woodblock print
Nanten tree
Woodblock print
Tea Ceremony by Cherry Tree.
Woodblock print
Lily In Bamboo Vase- V2
Woodblock print
Lily In Bamboo Vase- V2
Woodblock print
Takenoko (Bamboo Shoots)
2006
Mezzotint
Takenoko - Yama (Bamboo Mountain)
2010
Mezzotint
Forest Breeze (Silver)
Serigraph (silkscreen) with metallic ink
Gold Forest
Serigraph (silkscreen) with metallic ink
Abyss of the Forest
森の深淵
ca. 2019
Etching and aquatint, chine-collé
Related Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Trees are a fundamental compositional element and independent subject in Japanese woodblock printmaking, appearing as framing devices, atmospheric indicators, and primary subjects that showcase the medium's ability to render organic form through carved wood. The woodblock technique has a natural affinity for depicting trees — the carved lines of the block echo the texture of bark and branch, creating a material sympathy between medium and subject.
Fumio Kitaoka, Joichi Hoshi, and Tanaka Ryohei are among the artists most associated with trees in our collection. Browse the full list of artists who explored this subject above.
Hanga currently catalogues 493 prints tagged with trees, spanning ukiyo-e, shin-hanga, and sōsaku-hanga traditions where applicable.