Artwork

九段坂上靖国神社庭内真図|True View of the Courtyard of Yasukuni Shrine at Kudan Sakaue (Kudan Sakaue Yasukuni jinsha teinai shin zu)

九段坂上靖国神社庭内真図|True View of the Courtyard of Yasukuni Shrine at Kudan Sakaue (Kudan Sakaue Yasukuni jinsha teinai shin zu) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Inoue Yasuji. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Kudan Sakaue Yasukuni jinsha teinai shin zu, created in 1888 by Inoue Yasuji, is a triptych of woodblock prints depicting scenes from the courtyard of Yasukuni Shrine at Kudan Sakaue. Composed of ink and color on paper, the work is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The triptych captures three distinct vignettes of life at the shrine. The first panel shows a woman in elaborate attire with a child near a traditional building, the second a solitary figure in a dark military uniform, and the third a formally dressed couple strolling by a pond. These scenes convey a sense of serene, orderly daily life within the shrine's grounds.

Technique & Style

Inoue Yasuji employs a blend of vibrant colors and meticulous detail in the prints. Notable elements include the intricate patterns on the woman's sleeves and the polished boots of the military figure, set against the backdrop of neatly rendered buildings and gardens, achieving a quasi-photographic realism.

History & Provenance

Produced in 1888, the work reflects the late 19th-century Japanese woodblock print tradition. It is currently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, though the full provenance history prior to its acquisition is not detailed here.

Context

While stylistically rooted in Japanese woodblock printing, the emphasis on realism and color palette might draw parallels with contemporaneous Impressionist movements in the West, though this work remains distinctly Japanese in theme and technique.

Legacy

As a specific legacy of 'Kudan Sakaue Yasukuni jinsha teinai shin zu' is not widely documented in provided sources, its impact is primarily noted through its preservation in a major museum collection, contributing to the global appreciation of late 19th-century Japanese printmaking.