Weather Clearing at Awazu Possibly 1857

"Weather Clearing at Awazu" is a woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige. It offers a window into 19th-century Japan, when the country was undergoing significant social and political transformations. As part of the series "Eight Views of Omi," the print captures Awazu's serene beauty. Yet, it's hard to ignore the figures traveling on foot. These details reflect the lives of the working class. Hiroshige’s images offered ordinary people views of their changing world. He once said, “It is not only flowers, trees, clouds, and mists that appear in my landscape, but always the feelings of man.” Notice the delicate rendering of light and atmosphere. The artist prompts us to reflect on our place within the natural order, especially considering the societal expectations placed upon individuals during this era. This print is an emotional and thoughtful intersection of nature, culture, and the human experience. It invites us to consider our relationship with the world around us and the stories it holds.