Hakkei - or ‘8 Views'

These are prints related to the theme of Hakkei - or ‘8 Views’, were prints inspired by the Eight Views of Xiaoxiang in China which were first painted in the 11th century and then brought to Japan as a popular theme in the 14–15th centuries.

Hiroshige alone produced nearly 20 different series "Omi hakkei". Other artists followed. To please everybody, "Eight views of" were created for many parts of Japan, e.g. using surroundings of Edo. A series called "Eight views of Kanazawa" reflects a bay near Yokohama.

Other Eight Views of....

• Eight Views of Xiaoxiang
• Eight Views of Lake Biwa
• Eight Views of Taiwan
• Eight Views of Jinzhou (Dalian)
• Eight Views of Lushun South Road, Dalian
• Eight Views of Korea
• Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, by Hokusai and Hiroshige

Each of the eight views had the same format, eight subjects that are not necessarily in this order;

1. Returning sails
2. Evening glow 
3. Autumn moon 
4. Clear breeze
5. Evening bell 
6. Evening rain 
7. Wild geese returning home 
8. Evening snow

Eight Views of Ōmi (Ōmi hakkei 近江八景)

Date: early-1830s
Format: Horizontal yotsugiri (quarter ōban)
Number of Prints: 8

Autumn Moon at Ishiyama

Descending Geese at Katada

Evening Bell at Mii Temple

Evening Glow at Seta

Evening Snow on Mt. Hira

Haze on a Clear Day at Awazu

Night Rain at the Karasaki Pine

Returning Sails at Yabase