Utagawa Hiroshige

1797-1858

Eight Views of Omi: Night Rain at Karasaki
(Omi Hakkei: Karasaki no Yau)

a deluxe impression with extensive bokashi (gradation of color), dusting of alum on the moutain peak, and flecks of gold in the margins; signed Hiroshige ga with publisher's seal Uo-Ei (Uo-ya Eikichi) in lower left margin, followed by red circular collector's seal (possibly Tanba Tsuneo), and censor's seal aratame with date seal Mi-san (year of the snake, third month), 1857

oban tate-e 14 1/8 by 9 5/8 in., 35.9 by 24.6 cm

A night view of streaking rain on the ancient pine tree of Karasaki; its low branches supported by poles. The tree, located on a promontory on Lake Biwa near Otsu, shelters a shrine built beneath its heavy boughs. Across the water, two sailboats are moored off a village, and in the distance green hills roll into a grey mountain.

Yoru no ame ni
oto o yuzurite
yukaze o
yoru ni natatsuru
Karasaki no matsu

For translation of the kyoka poem in the cloud and comparison with a horizontal print of this subject by Hiroshige, see Matthi Forrer, Hiroshige (1997), no. 71.

(inv. no. 10-2274)

price: Sold