Artwork
Sudden Shower over Shin-Ōhashi Bridge and Atake, from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo
Sudden Shower over Shin-Ōhashi Bridge and Atake, from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo is a print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
The rain isn’t just weather—it’s the whole mood, with slanted lines making the storm feel real.
You see a wooden bridge packed with people hurrying through heavy rain. Umbrellas tilt against the wind, and the river below churns in gray waves.
Hiroshige made this print just a year before he died. It’s part of a series showing everyday life in Edo (now Tokyo). The rain isn’t just weather—it’s the whole mood, with slanted lines making the storm feel real.
Look up more prints from the subject: *japan, edo period (1615–1868)*.
Overview
This woodblock print, created by Hiroshige near the end of his life, depicts a scene of everyday life in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period. It is part of the series 'One Hundred Famous Views of Edo'.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a moment of people rushing across Shin-Ōhashi Bridge during a sudden, intense rainstorm. The rain and wind are not just atmospheric elements, but also convey the mood of the scene, emphasizing the challenges of daily life.
Technique & Style
Hiroshige employs slanting lines to convey the force of the rain, creating a sense of dynamism and realism. The composition focuses on the interplay between the bridge's occupants, the bridge itself, and the turbulent Sumida River below.
History & Provenance
Published around 1857, just a year before Hiroshige's death, this print showcases his mature mastery of capturing ephemeral atmospheric conditions. It is part of a larger series highlighting notable Edo locations and experiences.
Context
As part of 'One Hundred Famous Views of Edo', this print contributes to a broader documentation of the city's landscapes, bridges, and daily life during the Edo period (1615-1868), reflecting the period's urban culture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川 広重) or Andō Hiroshige (安藤 広重), born Andō Tokutarō (安藤 徳太郎; 1797 – 12 October 1858), was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist, considered the last great master of that tradition.
名所江戶百景 大はしあたけの夕立|Sudden Shower over Shin-Ōhashi Bridge and Atake (Ōhashi Atake no yūdachi), from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei)
Sudden Shower over Shin-Ōhashi Bridge and Atake, from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo
Ōhashi Atake no yūdachi|名所江戶百景 大はしあたけの夕立|Sudden Shower over Shin-Ōhashi Bridge and Atake (Ōhashi Atake no yūdachi), from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei)
名所江戸百景 昌平橋 聖堂 神田川|Shohei Bridge, Seido Temple and Kanda River
Meguro Drum Bridge and Sunset Hill, from One Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo
Night Rain at the Azuma Shrine (from the series Eight Views of the Environs of Edo)
諸國名橋奇覧 東海道岡崎矢はぎのはし|Yahagi Bridge at Okazaki on the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō Okazaki Yahagi no hashi), from the series Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces (Shokoku meikyō kiran)
諸國名橋奇覧 ゑちぜんふくゐの橋|Fukui Bridge in Echizen Province (Echizen Fukui no hashi), from the series Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces (Shokoku meikyō kiran)