Tsuchiya Koitsu – Nijubashi Bridge

Original woodblock print. The first edition of this design was published in 1939. The current print was printed in 1939.

This print was commissioned by the Japanese government during the war. It depicts the Nijubashi, over the moat surrounding the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Although this was a popular scene for Japanese woodblock prints in general, such as those by Kawase Hasui, it was likely chosen here for its patriotic connotations. Tsuchiya Koitsu captured the tranquility of the scene, even during a time when woodblock printmaking faced challenges due to material shortages and difficult circumstances in general. It is believed that only one edition was created, making the print relatively rare to find.

Image size (excluding margins): 24.2 * 36.3 cm (9.5 * 14.3 in).

The print is in fair state. At the lower left bottom there is a tear in the paper and a fold, partly repaired on the back. The paper is damaged in a few other places in the margins as well, and the margin is browned on the lower right side. Inside the image there are a few very mild spots and a wrinkle in the sky on the right between the branches of the trees. On the back the repairs of the paper can be seen.

The pictures shown here are from the print itself.

References: R. Walker and Toshikazu Doi, The Catalogue Raissonee of Tsuchiya Koitsu, 2008, TK-XX-1, p. 276.

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Tsuchiya Koitsu (1870-1949) was a Japanese woodblock print artist. He is known for his high-quality Shin hanga prints, excelling in the depiction of light and shadow and the expression of mood.

More information about Tsuchiya Koitsu and an overview of his woodblock prints can be found here.

See an overview of Tsuchiya Koitsu's woodblock prints