Hanga
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 by Utagawa Hiroshige — Japanese Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, c. 1833-36

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

by Utagawa Hiroshige

Ukiyo-e
LandscapesRainTōkaidōTravel Scenes
Date:
c. 1833-36
Medium:
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Format:
Oban
Dimensions:
25.2 × 36.7 cm

Description

One of the most celebrated prints in the entire Hoeido Tokaido series, "Shono: Driving Rain" captures travelers caught in a sudden downpour on the road approaching Shono station. Diagonal lines of rain slash across the composition, bending the tall bamboo grove and sending figures scrambling with umbrellas and rush coats. The print, made around 1833–36 using the nishiki-e polychrome technique, distills the experience of travel in all its vulnerability to weather.

More Prints by Utagawa Hiroshige

Cranes in flight by Utagawa Hiroshige

Cranes in flight

n.d.

Color woodblock print; nagaban, surimono

Driving Rain at Shōno, from Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaidō by Utagawa Hiroshige

Driving Rain at Shōno, from Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaidō

1833

color woodblock print

Kanda Myojin by Utagawa Hiroshige

Kanda Myojin

Woodblock print

Komagata Temple & Azuma Bridge by Utagawa Hiroshige

Komagata Temple & Azuma Bridge

More Landscapes Prints

Lake Kugushi in Wakasa Province (Wakasa Kugushiko), from the series Souvenirs of Travel I (Tabi miyage dai isshu)" by Kawase Hasui

Lake Kugushi in Wakasa Province (Wakasa Kugushiko), from the series Souvenirs of Travel I (Tabi miyage dai isshu)"

Wakasa Kugushiko

1920

Color woodblock print; oban

Autumn Maple Leaves at Takao, from the album Eight Views of Kyoto (Kyôto hakkei) by Insho Domoto

Autumn Maple Leaves at Takao, from the album Eight Views of Kyoto (Kyôto hakkei)

Woodblock print

The Beach at Kaiganji in Sanuki Province (Sanuki Kaiganji no hama), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition (Nihon fukei shu II Kansai hen)" by Kawase Hasui

The Beach at Kaiganji in Sanuki Province (Sanuki Kaiganji no hama), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition (Nihon fukei shu II Kansai hen)"

1934

Color woodblock print; oban

Tea Kettle, section of a sheet from the series "Mirror of Stone Rubbings of Views of the Provinces" (Kohon meihitsu ishizuri kagami) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Tea Kettle, section of a sheet from the series "Mirror of Stone Rubbings of Views of the Provinces" (Kohon meihitsu ishizuri kagami)

n.d.

Woodblock print; ishizuri-e, section of harimaze sheet

Featured in Collections

Curated cross-cuts that include this print.

Mount Fuji in Japanese Woodblock PrintsMeisho-e: Famous-Place Prints

Frequently Asked Questions

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 was created by Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重) in c. 1833-36.

Yes — 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 is part of the The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido series (print 46 of 55) by Utagawa Hiroshige.

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 depicts landscapes, rain, and tōkaidō.

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 measures 25.2 × 36.7 cm (Oban format).