Eight-Platform Bridge (Yatsuhashi), from the "Tale of Ise (Ise Monogatari)" c. 1764 - 1765

Suzuki Harunobu created this woodblock print, Eight-Platform Bridge, at an unknown date, inspired by the Tale of Ise. The muted colors and delicate lines evoke a sense of serenity and nostalgia. The composition is dominated by the zigzag of the bridge, which acts as a strong visual structure leading the eye through the watery landscape. The bridge's geometric form contrasts with the organic shapes of the irises and reeds, creating a subtle tension. The figures, rendered with simple outlines and flat colors, are placed at the bottom, grounding the scene. Harunobu’s skillful use of perspective and negative space invites contemplation on the themes of journey, longing, and the passage of time, central to the Tale of Ise. In this way, Harunobu destabilizes the traditional landscape conventions by merging human emotion with natural scenery. The bridge not only functions as a physical structure but as a metaphor for emotional and spiritual crossing. The print exemplifies how formal elements, like the dynamic zigzag of the bridge, can function as part of a larger cultural and philosophical discourse.