Who painted Shōkei|Celebrated Waterfall?

Shōkei|Celebrated Waterfall was painted by Yanagawa Shigenobu in 1825.

Where can I see Shōkei|Celebrated Waterfall?

Shōkei|Celebrated Waterfall is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Shōkei|Celebrated Waterfall?

Shōkei|Celebrated Waterfall is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Shōkei|Celebrated Waterfall

Yanagawa Shigenobu , 1825

Shōkei|Celebrated Waterfall is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Yanagawa Shigenobu. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Shōkei, also known as Celebrated Waterfall, is a woodblock print executed by Yanagawa Shigenobu in 1825. The work measures the typical size of early‑nineteenth‑century Japanese prints and is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a luminous blue waterfall cascading down a dark, sheer cliff. Above the falls a faint crescent moon hangs low in a muted sky, while jagged mountain peaks loom in the distance. The contrast between the glowing water and the subdued surroundings emphasizes the natural power and ethereal quality of the scene.

Technique & Style

Shigenobu employs clean ink outlines to define the rock faces and water’s edge, then applies flat washes of color to suggest depth. The blue of the waterfall is rendered with a bright, almost fluorescent hue that stands out against the overall restrained palette. Minimal shading and the use of negative space create a sense of atmospheric perspective.

History & Provenance

Created during the late Edo period, the print reflects the era’s fascination with landscape motifs and the technical innovations of ukiyo‑e publishing. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through a 20th‑century acquisition, where it has been catalogued as an example of Yanagawa Shigenobu’s work in the celebrated series of natural subjects.