Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei) 高橋松亭 弘明: Saruhashi Bridge, Koshu 甲州さるはし (SOLD)

Artist: Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei) (1871-1945) Title:  Saruhashi Bridge, Koshu 甲州さるはし Date: 1931 The fantastically scenic and historically important Monkey Bridge (Saruhashi) is shown in the midst of falling snow, which blankets the scene in an added layer of beauty. Made internationally famous by its depictions by Hokusai and Hiroshige, this view in snow with the unusual format captures the strong verticality of the gorge and is considered one of Hiroaki’s masterpieces. Our view encompasses a vertical panorama, all the way from the sky filled with snowflakes at top to the flowing water of the Katsura River at the bottom. Beyond the bridge are seen a few traditional structures, with several figures also depicted nearby to give scale and bright pops of color. Saruhashi was designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government in 1932.  With the title and signature at right, Koshu, Saruhashi, Hiroaki, followed by red artist's seal  and dated along bottom margin, “Showa rokunen j