Artwork

京都名所之内糺川原之夕立|Tea-houses on the Bank of the Tadasu River in a Shower

京都名所之内糺川原之夕立|Tea-houses on the Bank of the Tadasu River in a Shower is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Utagawa Hiroshige’s woodblock print, dated 1828, portrays a rainy afternoon along Kyoto’s Tadasu River. The composition centers on a wooden bridge where travelers move beneath a gray sky, while tea‑houses line the riverbank and figures shelter themselves with umbrellas. The scene conveys a quiet, measured atmosphere despite the downpour.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures everyday activity in a Kyoto riverside setting, emphasizing the interaction between people and weather. Travelers on the bridge and patrons of the tea‑houses illustrate the routine of urban life adapted to seasonal conditions, suggesting a harmonious coexistence with nature’s rhythms.

Technique & Style

Executed in the ukiyo‑e woodblock method, the print combines ink outlines with applied color pigments on paper. Hiroshige’s handling of line defines the bridge’s rail and architectural details, while subtle washes of gray convey rain and sky, reflecting his shift toward atmospheric landscape treatment.

History & Provenance

Created during the late Edo period, the work belongs to Hiroshige’s series that moved focus from theatrical subjects to scenic views. As part of the broader ukiyo‑e tradition, the print circulated as a commercial image, contributing to the artist’s reputation for depicting Japanese locales with refined observation.

Artist & collection

Artist

Utagawa Hiroshige

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.