{"product_id":"catching-fireflies-beneath-a-willow-tree-kitagawa-utamaro","title":"Catching Fireflies Beneath a Willow Tree - Kitagawa Utamaro","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic ukiyo-e woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro, capturing three women enjoying a summer evening while catching fireflies beneath a willow tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro depicts three women engaged in the summer pastime of catching fireflies. The composition is part of a larger triptych, focusing on the central figure who stands with a fan, flanked by companions. Utamaro is recognised for his mastery of the bijin-ga genre, which focuses on the depiction of beautiful women. His work often employs elongated proportions and subtle facial expressions to convey a sense of grace and refinement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scene is set beneath the drooping branches of a willow tree, a common motif in Japanese art that suggests the humid atmosphere of a summer evening. The figures wear detailed kimono, rendered with precise line work that defines the folds of the fabric and the patterns of the textiles. The colour palette remains restrained, relying on soft earth tones, muted blues, and delicate pinks to maintain the nocturnal mood. The use of negative space allows the viewer to focus on the interaction between the women and their environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtamaro utilised the woodblock medium to achieve a balance between decorative pattern and human form. The print demonstrates his ability to capture movement, such as the woman reaching upwards with her fan, while maintaining the overall composure of the group. This work provides insight into the social customs of the Edo period, where such outdoor activities were popular among the urban population. The print is a fine example of the technical skill involved in ukiyo-e production, from the initial drawing to the carving of the blocks and the final application of pigment. It remains a representative piece of Utamaro's output during his most productive years in the late eighteenth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/women-near-a-river-utagawa-kuniyoshi\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eWomen Near a River - Utagawa Kuniyoshi — Utagawa Kuniyoshi\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nihonbashi-morning-scene-utagawa-hiroshige-1\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eNihonbashi: Morning Scene - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kitagawa Utamaro","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58345625944399,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58345626796367,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58345626829135,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58345626861903,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58345626894671,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58345626927439,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58345626960207,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58345626992975,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58345627025743,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58345627058511,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58345627091279,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58345627124047,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Catching-Fireflies-Beneath-a-Willow-Tree_Poster_CompositorV1_1785391509268.jpg?v=1785395268","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/catching-fireflies-beneath-a-willow-tree-kitagawa-utamaro","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}