Artist: Utagawa (Ando) Hiroshige (歌川広重) Title: Shower on Nihonbashi Size: approx. 23 × 32 cm Publisher: Takamizawa Reprint year: 1970s Original: ca. 1835–1838 Takamizawa was second only to Adachi Hanga in terms of quality, and their works were also aimed at museums. Anyone holding one of their prints immediately understands why: deep Prussian blue, flowing bokashi gradations in the sky and water, and the finest linework make Hiroshige’s landscapes glow. Each sheet was traditionally hand-printed — using perfectly aligned woodblocks and coloring that comes remarkably close to the originals. The print also comes with its **original washi folder**, including an acid-free protective sheet to preserve the colors, as well as an **English and Japanese note** providing details about the artwork. Abou the work This Hiroshige print depicts passers-by on the Nihonbashi bridge being caught in "haku-u" (white rain), a sudden shower in sunshine, against the castle of Chiyoda. Mt. Fuji is seen far in the background. Hiroshige made natural phenomena like rain, fog and snow his frequent motifs, and many of his masterpieces came in this category. He was in his forties and was already matured as a ukiyo-e artist when he completed this and other landscapes which were later published as "Scenic Sites in Eastern Capital".