After Utagawa Hiroshige, “Sudden Shower over Shin-Ōhashi Bridge and Atake”, published c. 1950

(Designed by) Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重) (1797–1858)

“Sudden Shower over Shin-Ōhashi Bridge and Atake” (大はしあたけの夕立), published c. 1950

Contextual Commentary:

Widely celebrated as Utagawa Hiroshige’s ultimate masterwork, this composition depicts a sudden summer afternoon downpour (yūdachi) catching pedestrians exposed on the wooden Shin-Ōhashi Bridge crossing the Sumida River. In the background, a lone boatman guides a log raft through the grey expanse toward the Fukagawa timber yards, while the far bank of Atake recedes into the gloom.

This specific design holds a monumental place in global art history; it heavily influenced European Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masters, most famously Vincent van Gogh, who meticulously replicated this exact print in his 1887 oil painting Bridge in the Rain (after Hiroshige).

Technical Details & Condition:

Colour woodblock print (Ōban format) on fine, fibrous buff-coloured washi paper, with bokashi gradations and full margins as issued.

This impression was printed from recut blocks using traditional hand-printing techniques. It reproduces Hiroshige’s celebrated view of a sudden downpour over part of the wooden Shin-Ōhashi Bridge, with Edo visible in the distance. The remarkably fine lines depicting the rain were carved in relief into the printing block.

Published by Takamizawa (高見沢) around 1950, this print faithfully reproduces the original 1857 censor, date, and publisher (Uoya Eikichi) seals on the face. Stamped on the reverse side is the authentic red Takamizawa publisher's seal reading Hanmoto Takamizawa-ban (版元 高見澤版), fully verifying its mid-century provenance and premium production standards. The original design was cut and printed in 1857 as Plate No. 58 (also referenced as No. 52) from the series “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” (Meisho Edo Hyakkei).

The colours closely follow those of the impression in the British Museum (inv. no. 1906,1220,0.752).

This impression is nearly faultless with luminous colour and excellent registration of the multiple colour blocks. The sheet is in pristine/near mint condition, completely free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, and handling marks.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 38.1 x 25.6 cm
• Image borderline: 33.7 x 21.7 cm

Price & Shipping:

AU$623 (approximately US$429.09 / €384.04 / £320.41), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

To Purchase or Enquire:

For inquiries or to request a secure PayPal invoice, please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com.

Please Note: The digital scan contrast has been optimised to reveal the print’s exceptionally fine line work clearly. Consequently, digital screen tones may vary slightly from the subtle, warm tonal qualities of the physical work in hand.