Artwork

Ono Waterfall on the Kiso Road (from the series a Tour of Waterfalls in the Provinces)

Ono Waterfall on the Kiso Road (from the series a Tour of Waterfalls in the Provinces) is a print by the Romanticist artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

For more like this, look up Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760–1849).

You see a tall waterfall crashing down a rocky cliff. A thin wooden bridge crosses in front of it. People walk across, tiny against the huge water.

Hokusai made this during the Edo period. He loved painting nature’s power. The print shows mist rising from the falls, softening the scene.

See how he plays with depth. The bridge leads your eye straight to the waterfall. For more like this, look up Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760–1849).

Overview

Ono Waterfall on the Kiso Road is a woodblock print from the series 'A Tour of Waterfalls in the Provinces' by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, dated circa 1834. It is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a majestic waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff, with a slender wooden bridge traversed by miniature figures of people. The scene embodies Hokusai's fascination with the awe-inspiring power of nature.

Technique & Style

Hokusai employs contrasting elements: the dynamic, crashing water and the serene, rising mist. The composition guides the viewer's eye along the bridge towards the waterfall, demonstrating his mastery of depth and visual flow.

History & Provenance

Created during the Edo period (1603–1868), this work reflects Hokusai's later artistic style. The print is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, with its provenance tracing back to its creation in circa 1834.

Context

Part of a series highlighting waterfalls across Japan, 'Ono Waterfall on the Kiso Road' showcases Hokusai's ability to capture the beauty of the Japanese landscape, a hallmark of ukiyo-e woodblock printing.

Legacy

As a piece by Hokusai, it contributes to the enduring influence of Japanese ukiyo-e on global art, particularly in the realms of landscape representation and the emphasis on nature's grandeur.