Chang E Flees to the Moon
- Series:
- One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (print 9 of 100)
- Date:
- 1885
- Medium:
- Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 32.9 × 22.2 cm
- Source:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
Description
Chang E, the moon goddess of Chinese mythology, fled to the lunar palace after stealing the elixir of immortality from her husband the archer Hou Yi. This 1885 print depicts the moment of her ascent, her white robes billowing as she rises toward the moon she will inhabit alone for eternity. Yoshitoshi drew regularly from Chinese mythology alongside Japanese sources, and Chang E's story—isolation, immortality, and the cold beauty of the moon—resonated with themes he explored throughout his "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon" series.
More Prints by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
More Moonlight Prints
![Mount Fuji on a Moonlit Night, Kawai Bridge (Tsukiyo no Fuji [Kawaibashi]), from the series "Selection of Views of the Tokaido (Tokaido fukei senshu)" by Kawase Hasui](https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/d0960668-1e73-339a-b182-fb995a54bff0/full/843,/0/default.jpg)
Mount Fuji on a Moonlit Night, Kawai Bridge (Tsukiyo no Fuji [Kawaibashi]), from the series "Selection of Views of the Tokaido (Tokaido fukei senshu)"
1947
Color woodblock print; oban
Evening Moon at Nakanoshima, Sapporo (Sapporo Nakanoshima no yuzuki), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan, Eastern Japan Edition (Nihon fukei shu higashi Nihon hen)"
March 1933
Color woodblock print; oban
Matsushima in Moonlight (Tsuki no Matsushima)
1919
Color woodblock print
Kiyozumi Garden in Moonlight
January 1938
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Frequently Asked Questions
Chang E Flees to the Moon was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年) in 1885.
Yes — Chang E Flees to the Moon is part of the One Hundred Aspects of the Moon series (print 9 of 100) by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi.
Chang E Flees to the Moon depicts moonlight and night scenes.
Chang E Flees to the Moon measures 32.9 × 22.2 cm (Oban format).