Rain scenes are Hasui's second most desirable atmospheric category, carrying a 20–40% premium over comparable clear-weather subjects. Rainy Season, Shinagawa (1931) sold for $4,375 at Christie's Online (2020). The bokashi gradation technique used for rain effects demands superior impressions — well-preserved sky gradations add significantly to value, while faded examples lose much of their impact. Pre-war lifetime editions bearing the Watanabe copyright seal (A through G types, 1926–1944) are the most desirable.
Omiya in Rain (Ame no Omiya), published in 1930, depicts the city of Omiya in Saitama Prefecture — a city synonymous with the Hikawa Shrine, one of the largest and oldest Shinto shrines in the Kanto plain — under rainfall. Omiya's broad shrine avenue, lined with ancient cedars, would have presented Hasui a composition of rain-darkened stone lanterns and wet tree trunks under the gray curtain of a spring or summer shower. The bokashi sky gives the rain composition its characteristic atmospheric depth, the rain-softened surfaces of stone and wood absorbing light differently than in dry conditions.
1962
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
c. 1833-36
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Teradomari no yau
1921
Color woodblock print; oban
n.d.
Color woodblock print
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Omiya in Rain (Ame no Omiya) (Ame no Omiya) was created by Kawase Hasui (川瀬巴水) in 1930.
Omiya in Rain (Ame no Omiya) uses Bokashi, Nishiki-e, and Moku-hanga, on color woodblock print; oban.
Omiya in Rain (Ame no Omiya) was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (1930).
Omiya in Rain (Ame no Omiya) depicts rain.
Omiya in Rain (Ame no Omiya) measures 30.2 × 43.9 cm (Oban format).
