Rainy Pond

A pond rendered under falling rain, likely set within a temple or stroll garden where stone lanterns, koi, and reflective water surfaces are framed by overhanging branches. Morimura's treatment of rain typically uses fine parallel lines carved into the woodblock to produce uniform diagonal strokes across the printed image, a technique inherited from Hiroshige's late-period rain prints. The pond surface carries layered [bokashi](/glossary/bokashi) gradations to register both reflected sky and the disruptive patter of raindrops on water. Limited to a controlled palette—indigos, slate grays, accent greens—the print exemplifies Morimura's quieter mood pieces that depart from the saturated color of his temple festival subjects. It places him in dialogue with the long mokuhanga tradition of weather as emotional register, extending from Harunobu through the [Shin-hanga](/glossary/shin-hanga) movement, and demonstrates the seasonal sensitivity that runs throughout his garden imagery.