Kobayashi Kiyochika, "Fireflies at Ochanomizu"

Kiyochika's masterful use of color and light wonderfully captures an idyllic and serene scene showing a pleasure boat cruising the Kanda River at night. Fireflies dot the composition and the light from the lantern in the boat draws the viewer in. An early impression of a rare and beautiful design.

Date: 1879
Size: Oban
Publisher: Fukada Kumajiro
Condition: Light creasing in right margin, otherwise excellent/fine color and condition
Frame Shown: 16" x 24" x 1/2", Classic Wood, Ebony

Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915) is one of Japan's Meiji-era's most important artists whose works were an amalgam of Western style painting and Japanese print design. Trained as a painter, his works are a faithful reflection of the enormous changes taking place during the modernization of Meiji-period Japan.