Two men on a sloping road in the rain 

This woodblock print was made by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1797, depicting two men on a sloping road in the rain. The umbrella emerges here as a compelling motif. It represents a shelter, a common necessity, but also a deeper symbol of protection and adaptation against life's adversities, like these heavy rains. Throughout history, the form of the umbrella can be traced back to ancient parasols used in religious ceremonies and to denote status. It also appears in Indian art as a symbol of royalty and divine protection. Here, however, the umbrella takes on a more mundane, yet no less profound significance. We see how symbols transform, shaped by the needs and cultural context of the people who create and use them. The enduring appeal of this image lies in its capacity to stir a deep, almost primal response. It speaks to our collective memories of seeking shelter, of enduring hardship, and of the simple human connection forged in shared experience. In its depiction of rain and shelter, it is a cycle of protection and vulnerability, resonating across cultures and eras.