Couple in an Evening Shower, From the series Three Evening Pleasures of the Floating World

ca. 1800

Not on view

The title of the series reveals that it parodies three evening scenes from the early-thirteenth-century anthology Shinkokin wakashū. The scenes are of sunset, the cool of twilight, and an evening rain. This image displays an appreciation of ordinary aspects of daily life, capturing the moment that the couple sets out in the rain, he tucks up his robe, and she prepares to open her umbrella.

Utamaro, a prolific ukiyo-e artist, was fascinated by themes of daily life as well as by beautiful women.

Artwork Details

Title: Couple in an Evening Shower, From the series Three Evening Pleasures of the Floating World
Artist: Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, ca. 1754–1806)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1800
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 20 x 8 1/2 in. (50.8 x 21.6 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1914
Object Number: JP143
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Kitagawa Utamaro

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Okita of the Naniwa-ya Teahouse, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan — Okita of the Naniwa-ya Teahouse
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ca. 1793

Helmet (<i>Zukinnari Kabuto</i>), Iron, lacquer, Japanese — Helmet (*Zukinnari Kabuto*)
Japanese
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Night Rain at the Double-Shelf Stand, from the series Eight Parlor Views (Zashiki hakkei), Suzuki Harunobu Japanese, Woodblock print (first edition); ink and colors on paper, medium-sized print (chuban), Japan — Night Rain at the Double-Shelf Stand, from the series Eight Parlor Views (Zashiki hakkei)
Suzuki Harunobu
ca. 1766

Women Grating Radish for Sashimi, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan — Women Grating Radish for Sashimi
Kitagawa Utamaro
ca. 1798–99

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Armorer Helmet bowl signed Saotome Ietada
Armorer Breastplate inscribed inside, Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

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