The Japanese wood block prints collection consists of Japanese woodblock prints that were acquired by the McGovern Historical Center over time. How the prints came to archive is uncertain. However, it the opinion of the archive staff that the prints were part of other Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission collections acquired by ABCC staff during their work in Japan. The prints lack provenance, but because of their cultural value the prints are being preserved. The collection contains one folder in the Small Manuscript Collection (SMS) oversize box.

There are three prints. “Plum Blossoms and Long Tailed Bird” by Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858), printed in 1830 in Edo period in the uyiko-e style and measuring 6 15/16 inches wide by 15 1/16 inches tall. HIROSHIGE is considered to be the last great artist in that style. This print is a polychrome woodblock print, in and color on paper.

The other two prints are in the Shin-hanga style, which is a style associated with prints produced around 1910 to 1920. They are from the famous Night Scenes series, characterized by the use of blue and black ink to create the night scences. The prints are known as “Lake Biwa,” depicting a small boat on Lake Biwa and “Ohashi Bridge at Atako,” depicting travelers crossing the bridge at night. The artist for both prints is Shoda KOHO (1878-1946). The prints measure 7.5 inches wide by 10.25 inches tall. They are referred to by collectors as (chuban-sized prints).

Subjects: Wood block prints, Hiroshige, Koho, ukiyo-e style, shin-hanga print, Ohashi Bridge, Lake Biwa.