Temple of the Golden Pavilion c. 1834

This is "Temple of the Golden Pavilion," a woodblock print made by Utagawa Hiroshige in 19th century Japan. Hiroshige's work offers a window into the Edo period, when Japan's borders were largely closed to the outside world. Prints such as this one catered to a growing domestic tourist industry. The Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, was a popular destination. Woodblock prints like this one were relatively inexpensive and served as souvenirs. Here, Hiroshige uses a bird’s eye perspective. Notice how the artist employs the technique of bokashi, or shading, to create depth and atmosphere. The dark blues of the water contrast with the muted grays of the sky and the white of the temple. To understand this image fully, a historian might look at travel guides from the time. We might also consider the role of the Zen Buddhist temple in Japanese society. By examining the social and cultural context of the artwork, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.