Shōno: Driving Rain (Shōno hakuu), from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō gojÅ«san tsugi no uchi), also known as the First Tōkaidō or Great Tōkaidō  c. 1833 - 1836

Curator: This print is titled "Shōno: Driving Rain," by Utagawa Hiroshige, part of his series "Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō." Editor: The overwhelming feeling is one of struggle. Bent against the downpour, the figures are nearly swallowed by the rain. Curator: The diagonal rain lines certainly emphasize that. Consider the cultural importance of the Tōkaidō road, linking Edo to Kyoto. Hiroshige captures a harsh reality of travel. Editor: And yet, there's a strange beauty. The rain almost unifies the landscape, blurring the boundary between human effort and the forces of nature. Curator: The umbrellas, too, though practical, offer a glimmer of symbolic protection. Perhaps against more than just the rain. Editor: It's a reminder of the continuous interaction between us and our world, isn't it? An image of resilience in the face of adversity.