Back to gallery
Akasaka Benkei Bridge

Art Appreciation

This delicate woodblock print captures a serene moment on a wooden bridge set against a lush backdrop of abundant greenery and soft pink blossoms. The bridge arcs gracefully above calm, reflective waters, mirroring both the sky’s gentle cloud patterns and the verdant foliage overhead. A small group of figures stroll leisurely—among them, a woman carrying a pink umbrella, adding a splash of color and a hint of narrative to the tranquil scene. The composition is carefully balanced, with the horizontal expanse of the bridge subtly contrasting the verticality of the trees, creating a measured harmony emblematic of classical Japanese aesthetics.

The artist’s use of flat yet dynamic color fields, combined with meticulous line work, exemplifies the refined technique of shin-hanga, blending traditional ukiyo-e elements with a modern sensibility. Soft pastels dominate the palette, evoking a calm and reflective mood, while the crisp yet subdued details suggest early morning or late afternoon light. The emotional atmosphere invites contemplation, as the quiet beauty and peaceful atmosphere transcend the bustling modern world outside this natural enclave. Rooted in the early 20th century, this print reflects both the continuity and evolution of Japanese printmaking traditions during a period of cultural change.

Akasaka Benkei Bridge

Hasui Kawase

Category:

Created:

1931

Likes:

0

Dimensions:

4435 × 6474 px

Download:

Related artworks

Spring Night at Kintai Bridge
Travel Notes II (Second Collection of Travel Souvenirs) Echigo Urahama 1921
Nagoya City, Zuizen Temple, 1932
View of Unzen Mountain from Amakusa
Sunset at Ike no Kami Shokura, One of Tokyo's Twenty Views
Travel Notes III (Souvenirs of Travel, Third Collection) Kiso River Horaigan 1928
Nikko Futatsudo 1928
Remaining Snow at Inokashira
Travel Notes I (First Collection of Travel Souvenirs) Wakasa Kude no Hama 1920
Pacific Ocean, Awa Province
Travel Notes III: Iwami Yumura Hot Springs, 1924
Early Summer Rain at Arakawa
Travel Diary II: Port of Ogi, Sado Island
Travel Notes III (Third Collection of Travel Souvenirs) Fukuoka Nishikoen