“Kinryūzan Temple in Asakusa” depicts Kinryūzan Sensōji Temple, one of the most famous Buddhist sites in Japan. A large lantern in the foreground places the visitor at the threshold of the gate known as Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). The Kaminarimon opens to a winter wonderland, inviting the visitor to join the crowds of people moving towards the Niomon (Guardian Gate). Partially obscured by trees, the Guardian Gate stands to the left of a five-storied pagoda. Dashes of red pop within a world covered in snow, further drawing us into this sacred site.
As a subject, Kinryūzan Sensōji Temple would have had a special resonance for the artist Ando Utagawa Hiroshige. When Hiroshige created works like “Kinryūzan Temple in Asakusa” later in life, he had already dedicated himself to Buddhist monkhood. Despite being one of the most prolific artists of Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, Hiroshige was not financially successful and would die just several years after making this woodblock print. This work stands as a testament to his devotion to Japan, Buddhism, and art.
Guest author: Maren Petersen
