Rainstorm over a River Village 1777 - 1835

"Rainstorm over a River Village" is a hanging scroll by the Japanese artist Tanomura Chikuden (1777–1835), now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Chikuden was known for his evocative landscapes, often depicting the beauty of nature in its most dramatic moments. The painting captures a fleeting moment of a rainstorm sweeping over a mountainous river village. The delicate brushwork and subtle tones of grey and black evoke the atmosphere of a passing storm, while the small figures in a boat navigate through the turbulent waters. The painting is a fine example of the *bunjin-ga* style, characterized by its emphasis on literati ideals and a preference for a simple, elegant aesthetic.