Kobayashi Kiyochika
Japanese, 1847-1915
Distant View of Ryōgoku Bridge Seen from Motoyanagibashi, c. 1876-1881
Color woodblock print
Gift of Mrs. John Washburn L42.452

Prints by Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915)

Saturday, June 26, 2010—Sunday, October 24, 2010
Louis W. Hill Jr. Gallery of Japanese Prints Gallery 239
Free Exhibition

Kobayashi Kiyochika reached adulthood as Japan was undergoing massive change. His artistic career coincided with the Meiji period (1868-1912), an era of intense modernization and westernization as Japan transformed from a feudal state to an international super-power. Although he produced woodcuts in the traditional manner, Kiyochika's images frequently include elements of modern Japan, such as the gaslights and electric poles that were becoming commonplace in Japan's cities. The impact of Western artistic techniques is reflected in Kiyochika's use of aerial views and pastel colors. By imitating Western-style etching, he made Japanese historic subjects strangely compelling.