Summer Rain, Beppu Hotspring — Natsusugata (Beppu)
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
- Source:
$500–$4,000. Common subjects: $500–$1,500. Key value factors: Hirano's prints are relatively accessible compared to other bijin-ga specialists. Condition is important.
Beppu, on the northeastern coast of Kyushu, is one of Japan's most famous hot spring resort towns, its volcanic geology producing thousands of steam vents and thermal pools. This [oban](/glossary/oban) woodblock print by Hirano Hakuho depicts a summer rain at the resort, the Japanese title "Natsusugata (Beppu)" meaning roughly "summer figure" or "summer appearance" at Beppu. The combination of summer heat, hot spring steam, and rainfall creates a triple layer of moisture that would have saturated the air and softened every visual edge. Hakuho likely shows a woman in summer yukata navigating the rain-slicked streets of the resort town, or perhaps enjoying the hot springs while rain falls around her. The scene merges his [bijin-ga](/glossary/bijin-ga) specialty with a specific geographic setting, grounding the generic beauty portrait in a real, recognizable place known to Japanese audiences as a destination for relaxation and renewal.
1962
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
c. 1833-36
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Ame no Omiya
1930
Color woodblock print; oban
Teradomari no yau
1921
Color woodblock print; oban
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Summer Rain, Beppu Hotspring — Natsusugata (Beppu) was created by Hirano Hakuhō (平野白峰).
Summer Rain, Beppu Hotspring — Natsusugata (Beppu) was published by Watanabe Shozaburo.
Summer Rain, Beppu Hotspring — Natsusugata (Beppu) depicts rain and summer.
