Bamboo Grove of Saga
嵯峨竹林
by Takeji Asano
- Date:
- 1952
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Publisher:
- Unsodo
- Source:
- Ukiyo-e.org (via Artelino)
Typical Price
Asano's depiction of the famous Sagano bamboo grove captures the towering green stalks and dappled light that make this Kyoto landmark so distinctive. Most likely published by Unsodo, this atmospheric landscape typically sells for $150-$500. Asano's bold color palette brings unusual vibrancy to the bamboo motif, making it a strong value for collectors seeking Kyoto scenery.
Description
Bamboo Grove of Saga depicts the famous bamboo forest in the Arashiyama district of western Kyoto, one of Japan's most celebrated natural landscapes. Created in 1952 by Takeji Asano, this woodblock print captures the towering green stalks of moso bamboo rising to extraordinary heights, their slender trunks creating a natural cathedral of vertical lines that filter the light into a luminous green glow.
The Sagano Bamboo Grove, located near Tenryu-ji temple in the Arashiyama area, has been recognized as a place of scenic beauty for centuries. Walking through the grove, visitors are surrounded by bamboo stalks reaching over twenty meters in height, their crowns forming a canopy that transforms sunlight into an otherworldly green radiance. The sound of wind through the bamboo — recognized by the Japanese government as one of the "one hundred soundscapes of Japan" — adds an auditory dimension that visual artists have long sought to evoke through their compositions.
Asano's treatment of this subject demonstrates his characteristic approach to Kyoto's famous sites. Working as a sosaku-hanga artist who designed, carved, and printed his own works, Asano maintained complete artistic control over every stage of production. This autonomy is evident in the distinctive quality of his line work and color application. The vertical bamboo stalks create a powerful rhythmic pattern across the composition, while the interplay of light and shadow among the dense growth produces subtle variations in green that required sensitive carving and printing.
The 1952 date places this work in the postwar period when Asano was producing his most accomplished prints of Kyoto subjects. His bamboo grove composition has become one of his most recognized images, prized by collectors for its ability to convey both the visual grandeur and the contemplative atmosphere of this remarkable natural site. The print stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Kyoto's landscapes and to Asano's skill in translating their beauty into the woodblock medium.
