The Eight Views of Ōmi (in Japanese: 近江八景 or Ōmi hakkei) are traditional scenic views of Ōmi Province which is now Shiga Prefecture in Japan. They were inspired by the Eight Views of Xiaoxiang in China which were first painted in the 11th century and then brought to Japan as a popular theme in the 14–15th centuries.

Views of Omi: Fan Prints. Slideshow of all prints on this page. Ukiyo-e shūka 14 states that this series was made in color, blue, and gray versions. Gray versions (sumizuri with usuzumi) are shown here. Slideshow. Often known as the Medallion series. Slideshow.

From the dramatic Night Rain at Karasaki to the serene Autumn Moon at Ishiyama, Hiroshige uses subdued coloring and soft bokashi shading to create atmospheric and lyrical landscapes. A favorite subject of the artist, Hiroshige created more than fifteen series based on views of Omi Province, but many regard this series as the finest.

These series are known as the Omi Hak'kei, and the finest of them is the early oblong set by Hiroshige, any one of which is a masterpiece. A companion set, also by Hiroshige, of Eight Views in the Environs of Yedo, is perhaps the only other series which, as a whole, is equally as fine.

The Eight Views of Omi, a print series of images depicting Japan’s Lake Biwa and its surroundings, became an enormously popular theme amongst Edo-period (1615-1868) ukiyo-e artists. Based upon poems by Prince Konoe Masaie (1444-1505) and his son Konoe Nao…

Formalized series of landscape views on eight particular themes of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers, the rivers and wetlands around Lake Donting, developed in Eleventh Century China. The idea was imported to Japan along with much else from Chinese culture; series on this theme appear throughout Japanese woodblocks.

Images of Karasaki in the evening rain were among the earliest manifestations of the Eight Views theme, set at Ōmi, the area around Lake Biwa, southeast of Kyoto. The impression of drenching rain was achieved by a screen of fine, vertical ink lines superimposed over the muted tonal gradations of the huge pine that dominates the picture.

Hiroshige Utagawa’s woodblock prints continue to convey the beauty of Japan and provide insight into the everyday life of its citizens during the Edo period. The appeal of his tender, lyrical landscapes was not restricted to the Japanese audience.

Marks describes the impression in the Lantz collection, probably the one with the standing figure, as having a date of 1890.12, with publisher Shimizuya Tsunejirô and blockcutter Asajirô. This version may be a later reprint, possibly using the original right and center blocks but altering or replacing the left block.

This print, in pristine condition with unusually full margins, is from "Eight Views of Omi" published by Eiyoshi Uoya in 1857. Eight views – or hakkei – was a popular format for series focused on a particular city or region. Hiroshige designed numerous such series depicting Omi, near Kyoto in what is today Shiga prefecture.