Ishiyama Temple and Lake Biwa, no. 22 from the series Pictures of Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces

Although Autumn Moon at Ishiyama was one of the Eight Views of Ōmi, this print of Ishiyama Temple is not part of an Eight Views series, even though the migrating birds, distant sails, and broad vista recall elements of it. The print provides an aerial view of the shops, inns, and restaurants near the temple entrance on the banks of the Seta River, which flows south from Lake Biwa.

Hiroshige’s Pictures of Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces was one of the artist’s last major landscape series, created between 1853 and1856. It consists of prints depicting scenic views from across Japan, covering a much broader geographical range than his previous series. These prints helped popularize knowledge of Japan’s regional landmarks and natural wonders among Edo-period urbanites.