{"product_id":"shono-driving-rain-utagawa-hiroshige","title":"Shōno: Driving Rain - Utagawa Hiroshige","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic ukiyo-e woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige depicting travellers caught in a sudden rainstorm at Shōno station. This work is part of the famous Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eUtagawa Hiroshige produced this woodblock print as part of his series documenting the travel route between Edo and Kyoto. This specific design depicts the Shōno station during a sudden summer rainstorm. It is one of the most recognised works in the ukiyo-e genre due to its atmospheric depiction of weather.\n\nThe composition uses strong diagonal lines to convey the force of the downpour. These lines intersect with the sloping hill where travellers seek shelter. On the left, two men carry a kago (palanquin) up the incline while another figure runs ahead with a straw cape. On the right, travellers descend the slope, battling the wind with umbrellas and straw hats. The bamboo grove in the background bends under the pressure of the storm, rendered in varying shades of grey to suggest depth and movement.\n\nHiroshige used the bokashi technique, a method of hand-applying ink to the woodblock to create gradations of colour. This is visible in the darkening sky and the misty treatment of the distant trees. The print captures a fleeting moment of human struggle against natural elements. Unlike earlier ukiyo-e artists who focused on actors or courtesans, Hiroshige prioritised the experience of travel and the changing seasons.\n\nThis work was published by Hōeidō around 1833. It represents the transition of ukiyo-e towards landscape subjects. The use of Prussian blue, a pigment recently introduced to Japan at the time, provides the cool tones seen in the foreground and sky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/wagtail-ohara-koson\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eWagtail - Ohara Koson — Ohara Koson\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/scene-from-an-unidentified-drama-utagawa-toyokuni-i\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eScene from an Unidentified Drama - Utagawa Toyokuni I — Utagawa Toyokuni I\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Utagawa Hiroshige","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":57843757416783,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":57843760988495,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":57843761021263,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ B2 (50x70 cm) \/ -","offer_id":57843761054031,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A1 (59.4 x 84.1  cm) \/ -","offer_id":57843761086799,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Sh-no_-Driving-Rain_Poster_CompositorV1_1780440491485.jpg?v=1780442661","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/shono-driving-rain-utagawa-hiroshige","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}