Untitled

This untitled woodblock print demonstrates Kiyochika's approach to moonlight as a source of diffuse, cool illumination distinct in character from the warm glow of artificial light. His moonlit scenes, which include views of the Sumida River, Ueno Park, and various Tokyo landmarks, share a common tonal logic: a blue-grey or grey-white sky provides the dominant light, casting objects below into cool shadow rather than warm darkness. Achieving this quality required the printer to apply thin grey and blue ink washes over the [washi](/glossary/washi) surface before the darker tones of foreground elements, reversing the intuitive printing sequence. The result is an atmospheric cool that sets these prints apart from his fire and gas-lamp compositions.