M
Meguro Drum Bridge
目黒の太鼓橋
- Date:
- c. 1920
- Medium:
- Color woodblock print
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
Typical Price
Shotei's rendering of the iconic drum bridge at Meguro follows a subject made famous by Hiroshige a century earlier. Post-earthquake editions range from $500-$1,500, with pre-earthquake prints commanding $2,000-$5,000. Bridge subjects are among the most popular motifs in all of Japanese printmaking, ensuring broad collector interest.
Description
The elegantly arched drum bridge at Meguro spans a small stream, its steep curve reflected in the water below to form a near-perfect circle. Cherry blossoms or autumn leaves frame the composition, depending on the edition. The mathematical perfection of the bridge''s arc and its mirrored reflection create a composition of geometric beauty set within a naturalistic landscape.
