Ōiso (Rain on a Town by the Coast)

Name/Title

Ōiso (Rain on a Town by the Coast)

Entry/Object ID

1996.3.5

Description

Reproduction of the circa 1833-34 woodblock print titled "Ōiso (Rain on a Town by the Coast)," from the series "Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō (8th Station)," by Utagawa Hiroshige.

Artwork Details

Medium

Paper, Ink

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Utagawa Hiroshige

Attribution

After

Notes

Reproduction of the original 19th c. work.

Interpretative Labels

Label

Travelers trudge toward a village after their arrival at the 8th station, Ōiso. Today the town is mostly known for fishing, agriculture, and tourism. Hiroshige intentionally underscores the travelers’ journey, which is just beginning, by adding elements that draw our attention to the background. He directs our gaze along the winding diagonal path by emphasizing the colors of the clothing worn by the figures, as well as the gradient sunset of the sky. The trees purposefully twist around the houses and guide the eye even further into the scene. The intricate thin black hatching on the grass adds dimension to the print.

Label Type

Credit Line

Label

Label written by Kathryn Moran

Label Type

Credit Line

Label

Saint Joseph's University Purchase