Tsuchiya Koitsu – Rainy Miyajima

Original woodblock print on Washi paper. First edition in 1941. This is a later edition, printed using the original woodblocks.

Miyajima, also known as Itsukushima, is a small island located in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan (that is in fact not truly an inland sea, but connected to the ocean). Part of the Itsukushima Shrine on the island is a famous Torii gate. It is build on land but with rising tide its lower part gets submerged in the water. This is the state in which it is shown here by Tsuchiya Koitsu, making it seem as if the Torii is floating on top of the water or suddenly rising from it. In front of it are lanterns, and one of the many deer that roam the island and are no longer fearful of humans.

Image size (excluding margins): 39 * 26 cm.

Please note that each print is unique. Since of some prints we have multiple copies, the pictures displayed here can differ slightly from the actual print.

See an overview of Tsuchiya Koitsu's woodblock prints