Kintai Bridge at Iwakuni in Suo Province

Kintai Bridge, built in 1673 at Iwakuni in Suo province (now Yamaguchi prefecture), is known for its design, which is atypical for the Edo period. This bridge consists of a series of wooden arches supported by four stone pillars; at that time, most bridges were made entirely of wood. Though Kinta Bridge was designed to withstand the notorious floodwaters of the Iwakuni River, it also became acclaimed for its balanced beauty. In this snow scene, the lightcolored stone pillars contrast with dark blue water dotted with falling snow.