Suzuki HARUNOBU
(Japan 1725–1770)
- Title
- Rain of the fifth month
- Other titles:
- Three girls in the rain
- Alternative title:
- Fûzoku shiki kasen: Samidare
- Place of origin
-
Japan
- Period
- Edo (Tokugawa) period 1615 - 1868 → Japan
- Year
- late 1760s-1770
- Media category
- Materials used
- colour woodcut
- Dimensions
-
Chûban tate-e: 27.3 x 22.0cm image/sheet
- Signature & date
- Signed l.l., in Japanese, ink [incised on block] "Suzuki Harunobu ga [picture by Harunobu]". Not dated.
- Credit
- Purchased 1951
- Accession number
- 8581
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
In most parts of Japan, the fifth month (present day June by the Gregorian calendar) brings lengthy rainy days. Although the rain is necessary for healthy growth of the rice crop, combined with pre-summer warmth it can cause health hazards and dampen spirit for the urban population of Edo.
The poem reads: "The downpour ceases from time to time, but the sky is never seen clear of the summer rain clouds" (Furisusabu/ todae wa aredo/ samidare no/ kumo wa harema mo/ mienu sora kana) - translation by Jack Hillier 1970.- Bibliography (2)
-
YOSHIDA Teruji (Japan) (Author), Ukiyo-e Jiten, Japan, 1990, vol.1/ 33 (illus.), vol.3/ pp.120-122.
Louise Mitchell (Australia) (Author), Stepping out: three centuries of shoes, Sydney, 2009, 18 (colour illus.).
