Title : Hunting for Fireflies

Artist : Eishosai Choki

Date : mid 1790s

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : A mother and child enjoy catching fireflies on a summer night. The black mica background is very effective in depicting the pleasant night scene. Although Chöki never achieved the fame of contemporaneous artists like Utamaro, Michener wondered if he did not actually surpass them in evoking a poetic atmosphere. The mother wears a summer kimono with Narumi-shibori (tie -dyed) patterns. Her wide black sash with dynamic flower designs accentuates the simple kimono. (from "VOGUE in Japan: Edo Fashion through Japanese prints" exhibition 07/30/08-) ***************************************** A mother and child enjoy catching fireflies on a summer evening. The printers effectively utilized a black mica background to suggest a night scene, at the same time imparting a sense of luxury to the print through the use of this expensive material. Although Chöki never achieved the fame of some of his contemporaries, such as Utamaro, works like this one show his rare talent for evoking a poetic atmosphere. The mother wears a summer kimono with narumi-shibori (tie-dyed) patterns. Her wide black sash decorated with a floral pattern accentuates the simple kimono. The interest of ukiyo-e prints such as this is heightened by their careful attention to the most up-to-date fashions, changing from season to season and year to year with popular taste. This print was published by Tsutaya Jüzaburö, a leading publisher who also worked with the famous artists Utamaro and Sharaku. “Midsummer Night’s Pleasure” 08/05/2010-10/10/20100 *************************

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