Snow at Benzaiten Shrine in Inokashira Pond (Inokashira no ike Benzaiten no yashiro yuki no kei), from the series "Snow, Moon, and Flowers at Famous Places (Meisho setsugekka)" by Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Snow at Benzaiten Shrine in Inokashira Pond (Inokashira no ike Benzaiten no yashiro yuki no kei), from the series "Snow, Moon, and Flowers at Famous Places (Meisho setsugekka)"

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重 · 1839

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“This serene woodblock print captures a snowy day at Benzaiten Shrine, inviting you to experience the quiet beauty and chill of a winter landscape in Japan. Notice the delicate details of snow and the figures braving the cold.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

A blanket of snow transforms the familiar landscape of Benzaiten Shrine, creating a scene of quiet contemplation. The muted tones of winter dominate this print, where a few figures brave the cold, their umbrellas and cloaks offering splashes of color against the stark white. The composition draws the eye across the frozen pond, leading to the small, snow-laden shrine nestled among bare trees. This work captures a specific moment in time and weather, inviting the viewer to feel the chill in the air and the hush of a snow-covered world. It is one of a series exploring the seasonal themes of "Snow, Moon, and Flowers" at famous Japanese places.

DETAILS
Artist
Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重
Date
1839
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
21.6 × 34 cm (8 1/2 × 13 3/8 in.)
Collection
Arts of Asia
Culture
Japan
Credit line
Clarence Buckingham Collection
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What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Snow at Benzaiten Shrine in Inokashira Pond (Inokashira no ike Benzaiten no yashiro yuki no kei), from the series "Snow, Moon, and Flowers at Famous Places (Meisho setsugekka)"
01

The delicate outlines of snow on the tree branches.

02

The footprints in the snow, suggesting recent passage.

03

The subtle blue-gray shading that defines the snowdrifts.

04

The small red details of the shrine contrasting with the white.

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The full narration walks you through Snow at Benzaiten Shrine in Inokashira Pond (Inokashira no ike Benzaiten no yashiro yuki no kei), from the series "Snow, Moon, and Flowers at Famous Places (Meisho setsugekka)" — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.

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