<b>A PASSING RAIN</b> / Ito Shinsui1917Price Upon Request</em>

Details

Ito Shinsui's woodblock print, "A Passing Rain," stands as an iconic work within the Shin Hanga movement. In this captivating composition, a woman gracefully navigates a passing rainstorm, holding a vibrant yellow and brown umbrella at a defensive angle. She exudes elegance and sophistication, adorned in a striking black and red kimono accented with a green obi belt. The bright blue hue of her under kimono peeks through, adding depth to the scene. A discernible bright yellow light illuminates the composition, echoing the sporadic nature of the rain. Delicate rouge blush adorns the woman's face, capturing the subtleties of her expression amidst the atmospheric moment. Through Shinsui's masterful depiction, viewers are transported into a fleeting yet mesmerizing encounter with the beauty of everyday life in traditional Japanese aesthetics. 

Connoisseur's Note

This print is a rare pre-earthquake impression, showcasing the highest level of craftsmanship from Watanabe's workshop. Pay close attention to the skillful bokashi in the yellow background and in the blue of the woman’s under kimono. The razor-sharp impression, coupled with these printing embellishments, exemplifies the pinnacle of print production in 20th-century Japan.

As with all pre-earthquake prints, this print is among the rarest works in shin hanga, as the earthquake destroyed Watanabe’s studio along with the original blocks and unsold inventory. Only prints sold before the earthquake and removed from Tokyo, as most of the city was destroyed by the ensuing fires, survived. Further bolstering the desirability of this work is its near-pristine condition—this print was kept together in archival folders, never framed or displayed for extended periods.

This work comes with the original woodblock printed Watanabe paper label on the reverse.