Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige II Title: Rainy Evening at Kiribatake, Akasaka Series: One Hundred Famous Views of Edo Size: approx. 36 × 24 cm Technique: Traditional Japanese woodblock print on handmade washi paper, Nishiki-e Publisher: Adachi Hanga Institute Printing date: 1961 Originally published: ca. 1700s (Edo period) Paper: Echizen Kizuki Hōsho, designated a “Living National Treasure” since 2000. This premium washi is known for crisp lines and centuries-long durability. Very good Condition. The colours are vibrant and the paper well preserved. Some soiling at the top. About the print: This is a beautiful Adachi reprint of "Rainy Evening at Kiribatake, Akasaka" (赤坂桐畑雨中夕景), number 25 in the "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" series. The print masterfully captures a summer rain shower over the Kiribatake (paulownia field) area in Akasaka, with the characteristic diagonal rain lines Hiroshige pioneered. The atmospheric perspective shows figures with umbrellas and rain gear hurrying along the path, while mist-shrouded hills fade into the background. About the series In 1856, Hiroshige began his final masterpiece: a series of 118 vertical woodblock prints capturing the spirit of old Edo. From cherry blossoms and fireworks to quiet riversides and lively festivals, each scene shows his gift for bold composition—such as framing Kinryuzan Temple through the Thunder Gate—and his refined use of color and bokashi shading. This iconic series stands as the peak of Hiroshige’s artistry. About the publisher This woodblock print was published by the Adachi Hanga Institute during the Showa period. Adachi prints are renowned for their museum-grade craftsmanship, produced with hand-carved cherry woodblocks, traditional baren techniques, and carefully selected washi papers that recreate the look and feel of Edo-period originals. Unlike commercial publishers, Adachi’s mission has always been scholarly: to preserve and revive historically significant ukiyo-e designs for museums, archives, and connoisseurs.