The Kintai bridge in Iwakuni, Meiji era (1868-1912)

A bridge of arches, a bridge through time — where craft meets quiet beauty.
This fine art reproduction captures the elegant span of the Kintai Bridge in Iwakuni during the Meiji era. With its iconic five arches, the bridge becomes both an engineering marvel and a symbol of timeless Japanese design.

Details

• Museum-quality fine art print on premium archival paper
• Faithful reproduction of a Meiji-era (1868–1912) hand-colored photograph
• A genuine piece of visual history
• Available in multiple sizes to suit your space

About the artwork

This hand-colored photograph depicts Kintai Bridge in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, one of Japan’s most celebrated wooden bridges. Originally built in 1673, its five elegant arches rest atop stone piers, gracefully spanning the Nishiki River. In the scene, a handful of figures cross the bridge under umbrellas, adding a touch of daily life to this architectural panorama.

Soft hills shrouded in mist rise in the background, and below, the rocky riverbed channels a gentle stream — creating a perfect balance between structure and nature. This image is not only a testament to historical craftsmanship, but also a visual poem of stillness and design in harmony.