Ochanomizu in the Rain

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The closely spaced vertical lines that render steady, drenching rain in this print emphasize the simplified forms of river, hills, and a solitary tree, all depicted without outline. Kuniyoshi, one of the principal artists of the Utagawa school, is noted for his effective use of the itabokashi technique, in which ink and color are applied to the block in subtly changing tonalities. The block is then printed several times to deepen the gradation.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art