歌川広重画 「京都名所之内 清水」|Kiyomizu Temple (Kiyomizu), from the series Famous Views of Kyoto (Kyōto meisho no uchi)

A grand wooden temple, Kiyomizu, balances precariously on stilts over a verdant valley in this early print from Hiroshige's Kyoto series. Though the year 1824 is given, Hiroshige would not begin his famed landscape series until around 1829-1830, making this a fascinating early example of his exploration into landscape. We see a bustling scene on the temple's wide veranda, with tiny figures enjoying the panoramic view. The artist captures the sheer scale of the structure by contrasting it with the miniature people and the distant, misty mountains. Notice the vibrant green of the foliage, a testament to the careful application of color in woodblock printing. This print beautifully conveys the awe-inspiring architecture and natural beauty that made Kiyomizu a famous destination, even in the early 19th century.