Fire - The fishing fire
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Source:
- Art of Japan
Description
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.
More Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Woman as the Hero Taisō in Palanquin Holding a Pipe
c. 1830
Woodblock print (surimono), ink and color on paper
Yan Qing (Roshi Ensei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"
Poem by Abe no Nakamaro, from an untitled series of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets
Hu Sanniang (Ko Sanjo Ichijosei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"
More Boats & Ships Prints
Ship Alongside Dock, Shôwa period, dated 1954
Woodblock print
Sailing Boats: Night (Hansen, yoru), from the series "Seto Inland Sea (Seto Naikai shu)"
Hansen, yoru
1926
Color woodblock print
Sailing Boats: Morning (Hansen, asa), from the series "Seto Inland Sea (Seto Naikai shu)"
Hansen, asa
1926
Color woodblock print
Hamaotsu Yacht Harbor
Woodblock print
Frequently Asked Questions
Fire - The fishing fire was created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳).
Fire - The fishing fire depicts boats & ships, seascapes, and night scenes.