Enjoying the Evening Cool on the River Shore at Shijo

1924

Japanese, 1886-1975

This shows the Kamo River by the Shijô Bridge, a place long popular for respite from the hot Kyoto summer. Restaurants along the river still erect platforms over the water, as shown in this painting. Enjoying the evening cool, men and women eat and drink in the soft light of lanterns, while two children search for small fish in the shallow water. Ritsuzan enhanced a sense of nostalgia in this dreamlike image inspired by ukiyoe by portraying figures in kimono and traditional hairstyles.

Ink and light colors on silk

81 x 15 1/2 in. (205.7 x 39.4cm) each

Gift of Griffith and Patricia Way, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

2010.41.46

Photo: Eduardo Calderon

Not currently on view

Resources

Published ReferencesMorioka, Michiyo; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 280, illus. 79.

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