Sudden Shower at Shōno, from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō

1834–35

Not on view

One of the best-known scenes from this series, Sudden Shower at Shōno demonstrates Hiroshige's genius at capturing the sensation of a violent rainstorm. Palanquin bearers and villagers dash through the storm, and sheets of rain are represented with distinct slanted lines. Shōno had no view to match the scenery shown here, and it appears that the design was purely imaginary.

The umbrella at the lower right bears two inscriptions: "Takenouchi" is the family name of the publisher of this Tōkaidō series, and "Gojūsan-tsugi" (meaning "fifty-three stations") is part of the title. Utagawa Hiroshige, one of Japan's foremost landscapists, designed two extremely popular series: Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō and One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.

Artwork Details

東海道五十三次・庄野白雨
Title: Sudden Shower at Shōno, from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō
Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1797–1858 Tokyo (Edo))
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 1834–35
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: Image: 9 3/4 x 14 1/4 in. (24.8 x 36.2 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1914
Object Number: JP41
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Utagawa Hiroshige

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Sudden Shower in Shōno, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Sudden Shower in Shōno
Utagawa Hiroshige
ca. 1833–34

Small View of Yedo, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Print, Japanese — Small View of Yedo
Utagawa Hiroshige
1817–58

Hiratsuka, Nawate Do, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Hiratsuka, Nawate Do
Utagawa Hiroshige
ca. 1834

Yokkaichi, Sanchokawa, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Yokkaichi, Sanchokawa
Utagawa Hiroshige
ca. 1834

Snow on the Sumida River, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Snow on the Sumida River
Utagawa Hiroshige
ca. 1835

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