Quiet Rain
by Kaoru Kawano
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Source:
- Japanese Art Open Database
- Image courtesy of
- Japanese Art Open Database
Description
Quiet Rain is among the most recognized compositions in Kawano's output, depicting a female figure—likely in kimono—under or sheltered from rain, rendered in his signature bold-outline sosaku-hanga style. The rain motif carries deep precedent in Japanese printmaking, appearing in work ranging from Hiroshige's meisho-e to later shin-hanga. Kawano translates this atmospheric convention into an expressive, modernist idiom: carved lines may suggest falling rain as graphic marks rather than naturalistic depiction. The print's quietude is implied compositionally through the figure's contained posture and restrained palette. Multiple impressions of this title exist, suggesting sustained demand and repeated printing sessions.
More Prints by Kaoru Kawano
More Rain Prints
Rain Shower at Shо̄no, from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tо̄kaidо̄ (Tо̄kaidо̄ gojusan tsugi)
1962
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Shōno: Driving Rain (Shōno hakuu), from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō gojūsan tsugi no uchi), also known as the First Tōkaidō or Great Tōkaidō
c. 1833-36
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Omiya in Rain (Ame no Omiya)
Ame no Omiya
1930
Color woodblock print; oban
Evening Shower at Teradomari (Teradomari no yau), from the series "Souvenirs of Travel, Second Series (Tabi miyage dai nishu)"
Teradomari no yau
1921
Color woodblock print; oban
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quiet Rain was created by Kaoru Kawano (川野薫).
Quiet Rain depicts rain.