蛍を捕る

Mid[-]1790s

Imagine a humid summer evening in 1790s Japan, where catching fireflies was a beloved pastime for escaping the heat. An elegant woman with a towering hairstyle and a patterned kimono pauses with her fan, watching a child joyfully reach for the glowing insects floating above a patch of irises. This is a classic example of ukiyo-e, or 'pictures of the floating world,' capturing a fleeting moment of beauty and leisure. The artist, Chōki, was a rival to the famous Utamaro, and this print shows off his talent for delicate, atmospheric night scenes.

Technique: Woodblock print

Related Artworks

Hanaogi of the Ogiya, from the series ‘Beauties of the Pleasure Quarters (Seiro bijin awase)’ Eishōsai Chōki c. 1793-97
Kan, a waitress of the Izutsuya, and the geisha Fuseya of the Ogiya II Eishōsai Chōki c. 1794
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