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Paper short abstract

Along with the question of how to graphically depict transparent elements, such as water, in the air, I will explore the motif of the rainmaking poetess Ono no Komachi. Her popularity demonstrates the enduring belief in rain magic in the comparatively „modern“ world of ukiyo-e artists.

Paper long abstract

In my talk, I will focus on the depiction of rain in ukiyo-e art from the late Edo period. These prints are fascinating, in part, because of their novel solutions to the question of how to graphically depict transparent elements, such as water, in the air. Ukiyo-e artists likely drew inspiration from weather illustrations in encyclopedias, which became popular in the seventeenth century. Along with such technical questions, I will discuss rainmaking and the motif of the rainmaking poetess Ono no Komachi (known as Amagoi Komachi). This motif combines several traditional ideas about poetry’s ability to influence the gods (or, in our conception, nature) into one figure. The Heian-period poetess was often compared to contemporary beauties in ironic mitate fashion. At the same time, the popularity of this motif may be explained by the magic abilities attributed to Komachi. Thus, my presentation will highlight the coexistence of modern, scientific, and realistic depictions of rain alongside traditional beliefs in the magic of rain rituals within the visual language of ukiyo-e artists.