The Yumoto Sulfur Spring, Nikkō 1896

Kobayashi Kiyochika made this woodblock print, "The Yumoto Sulfur Spring, Nikkō," during a period of significant transformation in Japan, the Meiji era, as it rapidly industrialized and modernized. Against a backdrop of striking natural beauty, we see figures walking along the shores of the sulfur spring, perhaps seeking healing or leisure. The print invites us to consider the relationship between nature and the human experience. Who had access to these spaces of leisure and healing? What does it mean to find solace in nature during times of rapid societal change? Kiyochika’s work often reflects a tension between traditional Japanese aesthetics and Western influences, mirroring the complex negotiations of identity and culture that characterized the Meiji era. This print encourages us to contemplate our connection to the environment and to reflect on the restorative power of nature.