The artwork, titled “Benkei Bridge,” was created by Toshi Yoshida in 1941. It belongs to the artistic movement known as Sōsaku hanga and is categorized under the genre of genre painting.
The artwork illustrates an elegant scene on Benkei Bridge, an area adorned with traditional Japanese architecture. In the foreground, two women dressed in colorful kimonos engage in leisurely conversation; one stands, the other sits gracefully on a stone bench. The bridge itself, with its detailed yet restrained depiction, stretches into the distance under the canopy of a gracefully undulating willow tree. A prominent stone lantern in the right mid-ground, juxtaposed with the natural elements and figures, enhances the scene’s serene and timeless atmosphere. The subtle gradations of the sky, transitioning from the soft hues of dawn or dusk, complement the overall composition, evoking a sense of tranquility and everyday beauty in early 20th-century Japan.
