The fishing fire (isaribi) was a technique used by night fishermen who suspended torches above the water to attract fish to the surface, creating luminous columns of light reflected on the dark sea. Kuniyoshi depicts the nocturnal fishing scene — boats, fire, and the drawn fish — with the atmospheric command of night scenes he developed across many genres. The subject, combining skilled labor, fire, water, and darkness, offered rich material for his exploration of light effects within the technically constrained woodblock medium.
Woodblock print
Hansen, yoru
1926
Color woodblock print
1915
Color woodblock print
Hansen, asa
1926
Color woodblock print
Fire - The fishing fire was created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳).
Fire - The fishing fire depicts boats & ships, seascapes, and night scenes.