Yahagi Bridge at Okazaki on the Tōkaidō - Katsushika Hokusai

A classic woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai depicting the long Yahagi Bridge, featuring the artist's signature use of Prussian blue and precise line work.

This woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai belongs to the series Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces, produced during the 1830s. The composition centres on the Yahagi Bridge, a structure of significant length that spans the Yahagi River in Mikawa Province. Hokusai employs a high vantage point, allowing the viewer to observe the rhythmic movement of travellers crossing the arched wooden bridge while simultaneously noting the activities occurring on the riverbanks below.

The print demonstrates the artist's mastery of Prussian blue, a pigment that became available in Japan during this period and transformed the colour palette of ukiyo-e prints. The sky is rendered with a subtle gradient, known as bokashi, which transitions from a deep blue at the top to a lighter hue near the horizon. In the foreground, the artist includes everyday details, such as white fabrics drying on racks and a collection of parasols, which provide a sense of scale and human presence against the architectural form of the bridge.

Beyond the bridge, the composition includes a distant mountain peak, which echoes the iconic form of Mount Fuji, a recurring subject in Hokusai's work. The structural elements of the bridge are depicted with clear, precise lines, contrasting with the fluid, meandering paths of the river water. The use of negative space, particularly in the clouds and the open areas of the river, creates a balanced visual rhythm. This work captures a moment of transit on the Tōkaidō, the primary road connecting Edo and Kyoto, reflecting the busy nature of travel in nineteenth-century Japan. The print remains a clear example of Hokusai's ability to combine topographical accuracy with a refined sense of design.