Driving Rain at Shono
Hiroshigo’s woodblock print of driving rain at shono.
I don’t believe it has ever been exhibited. Family owned going back approx 4 generations I believe.
Inherited
No
Thank you for contacting Mearto. This is a print of Hiroshige’s ‘SHONO: DRIVING RAIN (SHONO, HAKUU).” Hiroshige is a very popular Japanese artist, so his prints are often not original pressings from the early 1800s, but later reproductions. During the Meiji period (1868-1912), many Hiroshige prints were reproduced but are still considered valuable because of their age. From your images, I don’t think your piece is new, as it doesn’t have an edition number and has been in your family for generations. In comparison with original prints (see below) the quality of ink and depth of the image seems different to me. I would say that your print is from the early 1900s or late 1800s.
Below is a link to a useful article about authenticating Hiroshige prints. I have also added links to authentic Hiroshige prints for your comparison. Authentic Hiroshige prints go for around $10,000 to $15,000. If this is a modern print, it will sell for between $50 and $100. A Meiji era print would go for around $200 to $300.
I have based my estimate above on the condition that this is a Meiji era print.
Oh, thank you for pointing that out to me. I found a resource about Watanabe seals, and I agree now that it must have been published in the 1940s/50s.
Thank you very much for the info! One question if I may. I had someone tell me the Watanabe seal likely means it is from around 1950. Would that matter or could it still be late 1800s/early 1900s? Thx again