The artwork “58 (52) Sudden Shower over Shin-Ōhashi bridge and Atake” is an illustrious woodcut by the artist Hiroshige, created in 1857. The piece, which is a striking example of the Ukiyo-e art movement, measures 24.7 x 35.7 cm and belongs to the genre of landscape. It forms part of the “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” series and is currently housed in the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum in Tokyo, Japan. The woodcut is distinguished by its depiction of a transient, dynamic weather event over a well-known bridge and its surroundings.
The artwork portrays a sudden downpour drenching the Shin-Ōhashi bridge and the Atake district. It captures the figures of pedestrians, who are caught in the deluge, huddling under traditional Japanese umbrellas. The composition is animated with the vertical lines of rain that blend the sky and the river, evoking the intensity of the shower. The bridge, depicted with its robust wooden construction, spans across the composition, leading the viewer’s eye into the scene. Amidst the rain, the presence of a lone boatman is noted on the river, highlighting the everyday life that continues even under the adverse conditions presented by nature. The colors employed are characteristic of the Ukiyo-e style, showing a harmonious palette that conveys the specific mood and atmosphere of the moment. Through this woodcut, Hiroshige masterfully conveys the impermanence of nature, a central theme in Japanese aesthetics.
