About This Print

Source: Japanese Wood-block Prints, Shizuya Fujikake, Japan Travel Bureau, 1938, p. 93.
Spring Snow on Kamikochi was completed in 1932 and is representative of his realistic work done in a color tone peculiarly his own.

Source: Spencer Museum of Art webpage http://collection.spencerart.ku.edu/eMuseumPlus?service=direct/1/ResultDetailView/result.inline.list.t1.collection_list.$TspTitleImageLink.link&sp=13&sp=Sartist&sp=SfieldValue&sp=0&sp=1&sp=3&sp=SdetailView&sp=75&sp=Sdetail&sp=1&sp=T&sp=0&sp=SdetailList&sp=0&sp=F&sp=Scollection&sp=l13165
"This vertical composition emphasizes the monumentality of the snowy mountains, while the framing trees on either side brings the viewer into the center of the composition. Itō’s use of bright, almost surreal colors and billowy clouds and snowdrifts create a dreamlike effect."

Kamikochi

Source: Japan Atlas website http://web-japan.org/atlas/nature/nat07.html

Kamikochi is a highland basin surrounded by high and steep mountains called the Japan Alps. The basin spreads out along Azusa River that flows down from one of those mountains, Mt. Yarigatake. One of the most scenic mountain spots in the country, Kamikochi attracts a great number of visitors: the mountain views are magnificent and the scattered lakes and clear waters of Azusa River create the beautiful scenery. Kamikochi is also the gateway to the surrounding peaks and charms many mountain climbers. The area belongs to Chubu Sangaku National Park and is designated as a Special Natural Monument. In Kamikochi, not many large trees are seen, because tree cutting started here in the 18th century and almost all trees on the ground level had been cut down

by the mid 19th century. Later, cutting of trees was prohibited and stock farms were closed in order to preserve the forest. What makes Kamikochi look as it is today are the trees that grew naturally or were planted thereafter.