Ishikawa Ryūjō (1847–1927) 
Arashiyama in Spring 
Japan, late 1910s–early 1920s 
Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk 
Gift of Terry Welch, 2021 (2021-03-027)

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During the Edo period (1615–1868), the Hozu River was an important waterway to transport firewood and other goods to Arashiyama in northwestern Kyoto from the mountains to the north. Modernization made this largely obsolete, but the banks of the river are also famous for their cherry blossoms (visible behind the pines in this painting), and in the 20th century spring boat rides on the river became a popular tourist attraction. 
 
Ryūjō was already established as a literati artist before the Meiji period (1868–1912). His adaptability to the spirit of openness and experimentation in the 1910s–1920s is evident here in his use of pines and hills derived from traditional Japanese-style painting (Yamato-e), as opposed to the Chinese-style literati compositions for which he was best known.