Japanese Art Poster Strikingly realistic, faithful to the natural landscapes of Japan - Kinryū-zan Temple in Asakusa by Hiroshige

"Kinryū-zan Temple in Asakusa" (original title: 浅草金龍山) is a woodblock print by the Japanese painter and illustrator Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) produced in July 1856.

This print inaugurates the series dedicated to winter, featuring the temple of Kinryūzan, a place of worship dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon located in the Asakusa district. In the background, various elements of the foreground stand out, notably a red and green leaf of the Kaminarimon gate, on the left, and an imposing votive lantern, bearing the inscription "Shinbashi", which dominates the upper part of the image. The composition then leads the eye to a snowy landscape where a group of visitors is heading towards the interior of the temple. To the right, a pagoda emerges majestically, while the niōmon, the "gate of the two guardian kings", sits in the center, its intense red color contrasting with the immaculate white of the snow. Recently rebuilt following the earthquake, the pagoda has a fresh and solemn appearance. In the sky, shades of gray blend skillfully from white to black, while snowflakes swirl gently. Despite the tranquility that emanates from this representation, usually enlivened by temporary stalls, Hiroshige chose to highlight the main motif while preserving the harmony of the scene, ousting certain secondary details.