Rainy Miyajima

Description

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. It is a popular place for Japanese woodblock prints to depict.