Along with “ Kambara," this print must be counted a true masterpiece.
Shono, which was less than two miles from Ishiyakushi, has no scenery resembling that shown here, and it appears that the design was purely imaginary. It is doubtful, however, that any other picture ever painted has succeeded so admirably in conveying the feeling of a violent rainstorm. One hears the
sound of the bamboo bending in the wind and shivers with the wetness of the rain.
Hiroshige often depicted rain with distinct slanted lines a device much admired in Europe-but in this print he made the water come down in
sheets. The slanting composition was probably adopted to emphasize the continuity of the rainfall.