Sheets of rain fall in dense, slanting lines across a wooden bridge that stretches diagonally from the lower left to the upper right of the image. Five figures hurry across the bridge, each bent forward against the downpour; some clutch at their hats or cloaks, while others hold umbrellas that tilt with the wind. The bridge’s sturdy wooden structure is rendered in precise, interlocking beams, its pale brown planks contrasting with the blue water below.

At the far left, a figure in a vivid red garment stands out against the muted tones, while the others wear subdued greens, blues, and greys. Beyond the bridge, a single boatman, hunched under a straw hat, poles a narrow raft across the river, his form almost lost in the rain. The river occupies the middle ground, its surface a cool, pale blue that reflects the streaks of rain, and is bordered by a dark, tree-lined bank stretching horizontally across the print.

Above the trees, the sky is heavy and dark, shaded with washes of grey that deepen toward the top and suggest the weight of the storm. The composition is carefully balanced, with the diagonal of the bridge countered by the horizontal band of the riverbank and the vertical lines of rain. Fine, sharp lines are used for the rain and the architectural details, while broader, softer washes create the sky and water, demonstrating the range of effects possible in woodblock printing.

Small details, such as the different postures of the figures and the intricate lattice of the bridge’s supports, reward close inspection and give a sense of movement and urgency. Japanese characters appear in several cartouches and inscriptions along the margins and within the image, providing the title and other information. Ohashi Atake no yudachi is created by Utagawa Hiroshige, as given in the catalogue.