Scene at Itsukushima Shrine by Utagawa Hiroshige

Scene at Itsukushima Shrine 1853

print, ink, color-on-paper

aged paper

toned paper

water colours

print

japan

handmade artwork painting

personal sketchbook

ink

color-on-paper

coloured pencil

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

sketchbook art

watercolor

This woodblock print, created in 1853 by the renowned Japanese artist Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), depicts the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, a Shinto shrine located on an island in Hiroshima Bay. The artwork, titled "Scene at Itsukushima Shrine," showcases Hiroshige's masterful use of color and perspective, capturing the beauty and tranquility of the shrine's floating torii gate. The vibrant blue hues of the sky and water create a sense of depth and serenity, while the intricate details of the shrine's structure highlight the craftsmanship of traditional Japanese architecture. The scene, with its emphasis on nature and religious devotion, exemplifies the ukiyo-e style of woodblock printing, a popular genre during the Edo period that celebrated the everyday beauty of Japan.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Built on pilings over Hiroshima Bay, Itsukushima Shrine is one of the three most famous spots of scenic beauty in Japan. At high tide, the shrine seems to float on the water. The annual Kangen Festival is held at high tide on an early August evening. Kangen (ancient court music) was originally a summertime diversion among Heian period (794-1185) aristocrats, and included boating parties with musicians performing on-board. Taira no Kiyomori, a 12th century political leader and founder of Itsukushima Shrine, combined kangen entertainment with a ritual ceremony to worship the shrine's three goddesses. A procession of boats, led by local fishermen, bears a portable shrine out into the bay where the ancient music is played. This print illustrates the returning boats as they approach the great torii gateway, which marks the entrance to the shrine precinct.