Shōno: Driving Rain

c. 1832–33 · Print

Can I see it?

Not on view at present

Where is “Shōno: Driving Rain” now? Collection: Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Minneapolis, United States

It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.

Checked: 12 days ago
In this state since: Sep 25, 2026
Source: The museum

On the map Museum page

About the work

Hiroshige is justifiably renowned for his ability to effectively convey different times of day, atmospheric conditions, and weather. The small government checkpoint at Sho_no, lacking any distinguishing physical landmark, allowed him to concentrate on rendering a rainstorm. Fine diagonal lines arranged in irregular bands effectively convey the sheets of rain that pelt the travelers along the roadway. The distant bamboo grove, too, convincingly portrays the gusting wind. Through the postures of the travelers, Hiroshige further suggests the ferocity of the storm. The palanquin bearers carefully maintain a steady gait on the wet road, while the figures descending the hill break into a run as the maelstrom intensifies.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Details

Accession number: P.13, 709

In the catalog

Prints Woodcut Japanese prints Romanticism 19th century Japan

Sources

Minneapolis Institute of Art
Image: Minneapolis Institute of Art — public domain

In the life of Utagawa Hiroshige

The whole life

1809–1832
Post: dōshin
1829–1830
The turn to landscape: “Eight Views of Ōmi”
Until then Hiroshige had worked in the usual ukiyo-e themes: book illustrations, beauties and kabuki actors. It was not until 1829–1830 that he began to produce the landscapes he is known for, such as the series “Eight Views of Ōmi”, and he also made an increasing number of bird and flower prints.
1832
Journey to Kyoto along the Tōkaidō
As a fire warden he was entitled to minor privileges reserved for low-ranking samurai, which is how he secured an invitation to join an official procession to Kyoto and travelled the Tōkaidō route linking the two capitals. He sketched the scenery along the way.

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