Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces (Shokoku meikyō kiran)
The Arched Bridge at Kameido Tenjin Shrine
Kameido Tenjin Taikobashi
Katsushika Hokusai · c. 1830
What it is
A steep drum bridge arches over the pond at the Kameido Tenjin shrine in Edo, with visitors climbing it.
Why it matters
The taikobashi, or drum bridge, is named for its high round arch, and Hokusai draws it almost as a half-circle.
What to notice
The bridge’s curve and its reflection in the water nearly close into a full circle.
A bridge built so steep you have to climb it.
The record
- Artist
- Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾北斎 (1760–1849)
- Series
- Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces (Shokoku meikyō kiran)
- Date
- c. 1830
- Medium
- woodblock print; ink and color on paper
- Source
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art · JP2947
Impression note. A horizontal ōban, about 26 by 38 cm on the Met record. The bridges are drawn in fine, exact lines against broad fields of colour, and a clean impression keeps every plank and rail distinct. This is the largest clean open impression of the design the Met holds. Impression variance is real — printings differ in wiping and fading — and choosing the finest openly held impression is the curatorial act.
Public domain; faithfully reproduced.
Bring it home
Printed to order on EMA matte art paper, 200gsm.
From the same series
Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces (Shokoku meikyō kiran)Ancient View of Yatsuhashi in Mikawa ProvinceKatsushika Hokusai · c. 1834
Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces (Shokoku meikyō kiran)Fukui Bridge in Echizen ProvinceKatsushika Hokusai · c. 1830
Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces (Shokoku meikyō kiran)Kintai Bridge in Suō ProvinceKatsushika Hokusai · 1827–30
Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces (Shokoku meikyō kiran)Old View of the Boat-bridge at Sano in Kōzuke ProvinceKatsushika Hokusai · c. 1830The road at your moment — Painted Earth’s ukiyo-e style pack.