Who painted 蛍狩|Catching fireflies (Hotaru gari)?

蛍狩|Catching fireflies (Hotaru gari) was painted by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1796.

Where can I see 蛍狩|Catching fireflies (Hotaru gari)?

蛍狩|Catching fireflies (Hotaru gari) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 蛍狩|Catching fireflies (Hotaru gari)?

蛍狩|Catching fireflies (Hotaru gari) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

蛍狩|Catching fireflies (Hotaru gari)

Kitagawa Utamaro , 1796

蛍狩|Catching fireflies (Hotaru gari) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Catching Fireflies (Hotaru gari) is a three‑panel woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro, dated around 1796. Executed in ink and color on paper, the work belongs to the ukiyo‑e genre and is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a twilight garden gathering of six figures: three women in flowing kimono holding fans or parasols, two attendants kneeling or seated, and a child observing. Flickering fireflies illuminate the grass, their bioluminescence reflected in the delicate accessories, suggesting a fleeting, poetic moment of seasonal leisure.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employs the characteristic ukiyo‑e approach of clean line work combined with muted, pastel pigments. Subtle gradations of ink convey the dimming sky, while the soft coloration of the garments and the faint glow of the insects create a sense of atmospheric depth without heavy shading.

History & Provenance

Created in the late eighteenth century, the print reflects the popularity of firefly‑watching as a seasonal pastime in Edo‑period Japan. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through a 20th‑century acquisition, where it remains displayed as an example of Utamaro’s genre scenes.