Moon in the Flames - enchūgetsu( Moon and Flame)
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Ink |
| Current Location: | Multiple impressions survive in museum collections worldwide. |
| Location History: | Moon in the Flames (also translated as Moon and Smoke) was designed and published in Japan in 1886 as part of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s One Hundred Aspects of the Moon series. As a Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print, multiple authentic impressions were produced from the original carved blocks. Over time, these impressions entered museum and private collections through acquisitions and donations. Today, surviving impressions are housed in several international institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven), the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney). |
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi was a great master of the Wood block painting technique. The artwork, "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon: Moon and Smoke" is one of his dramatic composition. This painting portrays firemen facing the slithering arms of the fiery red fire. Firemen were considered legendary heroes themselves as during the Edo period Japanese houses were built of wood and thus were susceptible to fire risks. The firemen were quick feeted and thus were able to save lives and property. For their bravery and service, they were often paid handsomely. Since this was a profitable business, there were various companies of firemen. In the above depiction, we can see firemen of two opposing companies facing each other.