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Shinkyo - The Sacred Bridge at Nikko
Shinkyo, the Sacred Bridge at Nikko, is a famous landmark in Japan and since 1999 listed on the UNESCO world heritage list. It has been a popular subject on Japanese woodblock prints since the 19th century. This page has a short wrap-up of the history of Shinkyo and shows woodblock prints by Yoshitoshi, Chikanobu, Ito Yuhan, Kishio Koizumi, Hasui, Shotei, Hiroshi Yoshida, Tsuchiya Koitsu, Gihachiro Okuyama, Shiro Kasamatsu and Tokuriki Tomikichiro.
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Shinkyo - Sacred Bridge at Nikko
Shinkyo, the Sacred Bridge at Nikko, is the entrance to Futarasan Shrine. It was rebuilt in today's shape with its red lacquered paint in 1636 by the third Tokugawa shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu (1603 - 51). The construction 1636 replaced a bridge construction from 808. In 1902 it was completely washed away by a flood and reconstructed from ground. Shinkyo is supported by stone pillars. Recently it was completely refurbished.
A Sacred Bridge not for Common People
During the Edo period only people of higher ranks, samurai, aristocrats and members of the court were allowed to cross Shinkyo. Common people had to cross the river by another bridge constructed next to Shinkyo - as seen on this woodblock print made by an unknown artist.
Today even tourists are allowed to cross the bridge. But you have to pay an admission fee. "Sic tempora mutant." The times, they are changing. Before, the restrictions were defined by your birth. Today, the small differences are defined by money.
Yoshitoshi Taiso 1839-1892
This design of the famous bridge is from the series Dai Nippong Meisho Kagaami (Mirrors of the Famous Generals of Japan). Standing on the Shinkyo bridge are Tokugawa Iemitsu (1603 - 51), the 3rd Tokugawa Shogun who established Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, and Ii Naotaka. It is interesting to see how different the image is from the actual view at the location. Presumably Yoshitoshi had never seen the bridge himself and relied on other sketches when he made this design in 1878.
Chikanobu Toyohara 1838-1912
This is the only triptych of the Nikko bridge that we know of. It shows Shinkyo crowded with people. Chikanobu Toyohara made it in 1897.
Ito Yuhan, active 1930s
This woodblock print of Shinkyo (Sacred Bridge) at Nikko in the sunset glow was designed in the 1930s. It is a wonderful example of the expressive, but romantic style of the shin hanga art movement. Ito Yuhan's prints do not have black key block outlines in order to simulate the soft watercolor looks.
Kishio Koizumi 1893-1945
Kishio Koisumi made this design in 1931. It is part of the series, "Kokuritsu Koen; Nikko Fukei" (National Parks Nikko Scernery ). "Dai-yon Kei; Shin-kyo" (Scenery of Nikko, No.4) Shinkyo - Sacred Bridge. This is the only design on this page in sosaku hanga style.
Hasui Kawase 1883-1957
Hasui made this design in postcard size of Nikko Bridge in the 1930s. The print on display is toned due to age and exposure to light.
Hiroaki Takahashi (Shotei) 1871-1945
Also this design of the famous Nikko Bridge made by Hiroaki Takahashi (Shotei) is toned. It was pusblished in 1936 and is kept in the smaller chuban size.
Hiroshi Yoshida 1876-1950
This print image of "Shinkyo" made by Hiroshi Yoshida was published by the Yoshida studios in 1937. The two copies shown here look like color-variant impressions. The dark version (slightly toned) shown here has the "Jizuri" seal (on top left margin).
Koitsu Tsuchiya 1870-1949
Shin-kyo Bridge in Nikko on a rainy day in October. Tsuchiya Koitsu made several very similar designs for publishers Baba Nobuhiko - like this one - and Doi Teiichi (Sadaichi). This design is from 1939.
Gihachiro Okuyama 1907-1981
Gihachiro Okuyama 1907-1981 made this beautiful winter view of the Sacred Nikko Bridge in 1949. The impression shown here is a rare hand-signed and dated copy.
Shiro Kasamatsu 1898-1992
The Sacred Bridge at Nikko seen by Shiro Kasamatsu was published by Kyoto publisher Unsodo in 1953. Fresh sheets like this one are still pulled from the original blocks without any visible deterioration compared to early impressions.
Tomikichiro Tokuriki 1902-1999
Tokuriki Tomikichiro chose a somewhat different view for this woodblock print published by Uchida presumably in the 1950s. It shows more the deep forest of Nikko leading to Toshogu Shrine. The Sacred Bridge is kept in its typical vermilion color.
Dieter Wanczura
(July 2009)
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