Rainy Day in Old Tokyo – Edo Elegance Under Umbrellas | 鳥居清長 Torii Kiyonaga (1752–1815)
Description
Three women. Two umbrellas. A rainy day in Tokyo nearly 250 years ago.
This traditional Japanese woodblock reproduction is based on “Three Women in the Rain,” one of the elegant designs from Torii Kiyonaga’s celebrated series Current Manners in Eastern Brocade (Fūzoku Azuma no Nishiki), originally created around 1783.
There is no famous battle or grand monument here.
Instead, Kiyonaga captures something more intimate: three women walking together through the rain in Edo — present-day Tokyo.
Long diagonal lines of rain fall across the composition while traditional Japanese umbrellas open above the women. Their layered kimono bring together deep indigo, black, red, green, and pale blue, creating an intricate balance of color and pattern.
Kiyonaga was renowned for depicting tall, graceful women with a natural sense of movement. Here, their slightly exposed feet, flowing robes, and overlapping umbrellas give the scene the feeling of a moment caught in motion.
Nearly 250 years later, the image still feels remarkably modern.
The restrained background, graphic lines, and sophisticated color palette make it especially striking in Japandi, minimalist, modern, and contemporary interiors.
It is a quiet image, but not a passive one.
Three women continue forward despite the rain.
A small moment from everyday Edo, transformed into something timeless.
As a Gift
A meaningful gift for someone moving through change, beginning a new chapter, or continuing forward through a difficult season.
A reminder that even when the weather changes, there is beauty in continuing the journey.
Artist
鳥居清長 Torii Kiyonaga (1752–1815)
Torii Kiyonaga was one of the leading ukiyo-e artists of the late Edo period’s 18th-century print culture and is particularly celebrated for his elegant depictions of women.
His tall, graceful figures, refined compositions, and sophisticated use of color helped define the ideal of beauty in ukiyo-e during the 1780s.
Original Work
Title: Three Women in the Rain / 雨中湯帰り
Series: Current Manners in Eastern Brocade / 風俗東之錦
Original Design: c. 1783
Period: Edo Period
The original composition depicts three elegantly dressed women returning through the rain, sheltered beneath traditional Japanese umbrellas.
Type
Traditional Japanese Woodblock Reproduction
This is a later reproduction based on Kiyonaga’s Edo-period design.
It is not an original 18th-century impression.
The margins identify the traditional craftsmen and publisher associated with this reproduction:
Carver: 池田兼吉 Ikeda Kenkichi
Printer: 佐藤勘次郎 Sato Kanjiro
Publisher: 集版社 Shuhansha
Unlike a modern digital poster, this reproduction was produced using traditional Japanese woodblock-printing techniques.
Size
Approx. 39.6 × 26.5 cm
Approx. 15.6 × 10.4 in
Condition
This is a vintage reproduction and may show minor age-related toning, marks, or signs of previous handling and storage.
Condition is as shown in the photographs.
Please review all photographs carefully, including the reverse, as they form an important part of the condition description.
Actual colors may vary slightly depending on your monitor or screen settings.
Shipping
Ships from Tokyo, Japan.
The artwork will be carefully packaged and shipped with tracking.
International Orders
Import duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are not included in the product price or shipping cost.
If applicable, these charges are determined by your country's customs authority and are the responsibility of the customer.
Rainy Day in Old Tokyo – Edo Elegance Under Umbrellas | Torii Kiyonaga (1752–1815)
Description
Three women. Two Japanese umbrellas. A rainy day in Tokyo nearly 250 years ago.
This traditional woodblock reproduction is based on “Three Women in the Rain,” one of the elegant designs from Torii Kiyonaga’s celebrated series Current Manners in Eastern Brocade (Fūzoku Azuma no Nishiki), originally created around 1783.
This piece does not depict a famous battle or a magnificent landmark.
Instead, it captures an intimate moment: three women walking together through the rain in Edo, present-day Tokyo.
Numerous diagonal lines of rain fall across the composition, while traditional Japanese umbrellas open wide above them.
The three women's layered kimonos, in indigo, black, red, green, and pale blue, feature different patterns, creating a highly sophisticated rhythm of color and design.
Torii Kiyonaga was an ukiyo-e artist known for depicting tall, slender women with a natural sense of movement.
Their slightly visible feet from beneath their robes, the swaying kimonos in the rain, and the overlapping umbrellas.
It feels as if a moment from a rainy day has been captured.
Although created approximately 250 years ago, its composition possesses a surprisingly modern beauty.
The background, which makes good use of empty space, the linear rain, and the refined color palette make it a beautiful fit for Japandi, minimalist, modern, and contemporary interiors.
It is a quiet piece.
Yet, it doesn't stand still.
Even in the rain, the three women continue to move forward.
A small, everyday moment from Edo transformed into a timeless beauty.
As a Gift
This piece is also recommended as a gift for those undergoing changes, starting a new chapter in life, or quietly moving forward through a difficult period.
It's a piece that can convey the message that even when the weather changes, one can continue their journey beautifully.
Artist
Torii Kiyonaga (1752–1815)
He was one of the leading ukiyo-e artists of the late 18th century, particularly highly regarded for his elegant depictions of women in bijinga (pictures of beautiful women).
His style, characterized by tall, slender female figures, refined compositions, and sophisticated color combinations, became representative of the ideal of female beauty in ukiyo-e during the 1780s.
Original Work
Title: Three Women in the Rain / 雨中湯帰り
Series: Current Manners in Eastern Brocade / 風俗東之錦
Original Design: circa 1783
Period: Edo Period
This work depicts three women returning through the rain, sheltered by traditional Japanese umbrellas.
Type
Traditional Woodblock Reproduction
This is a reproduction created in later years, based on Torii Kiyonaga's original design from the Edo period.
It is not an original impression printed in the 18th century.
The margins indicate the craftsmen and publisher involved in the production of this reproduction:
Carver: Ikeda Kenkichi (池田兼吉)
Printer: Sato Kanjiro (佐藤勘次郎)
Publisher: Shuhansha (集版社)
Unlike modern digital prints or posters, this reproduction was produced using traditional Japanese woodblock printing techniques.
Size
Approx. 39.6 × 26.5 cm
Approx. 15.6 × 10.4 inches
Condition
As a vintage reproduction, it may show age-related toning, minor stains, or signs of previous handling and storage.
The condition is as shown in the photographs.
Please review all photographs carefully, including the reverse side, as they form an important part of the condition description.
Actual colors may vary slightly depending on your monitor or screen settings.
Shipping
Ships from Tokyo, Japan.
The artwork will be carefully packaged and shipped with tracking.
International Orders
Import duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are not included in the product price or shipping cost.
If applicable, these charges are determined by your country's customs authority and are the responsibility of the customer.
