High Resolution (300dpi) - Inari temple (c. 1820) by Utagawa Kunisada I and Yamamoto Heikichi

Yamato-e is a classical Japanese painting style that developed during the Heian period (794–1185). It focuses on Japanese themes such as native landscapes, seasonal motifs, and scenes from Japanese literature like The Tale of Genji. Characteristic features include bright, thick pigments, stylized figures with minimal facial details, and the fukinuki yatai technique, which shows interiors by "removing" roofs for a bird’s-eye view.

Yamato-e often uses cloud bands to divide space and highlight narratives, blending decorative beauty with storytelling. This style contrasts with Chinese-influenced kara-e paintings and remains influential through later periods, inspiring schools like Tosa and Rinpa, and impacting ukiyo-e art.

This painting in the post is Inari Temple (c. 1820) by Utagawa Kunisada I and publisher Yamamoto Heikichi captures the serene beauty of the Edo period’s spiritual life.
This exquisite woodblock print from The Rijksmuseum showcases traditional Japanese shrine architecture with vibrant colours and intricate details—a timeless glimpse into Japan’s cultural heritage.