Outbreak of Fire Seen from Hisamatsucho (Hisamatsucho nite miru shukka) 1881

"Outbreak of Fire Seen from Hisamatsucho (Hisamatsucho nite miru shukka)" is a woodblock print created in 1881 by Kobayashi Kiyochika, a prominent artist of the shin hanga (New Prints) movement. The print depicts a dramatic scene of a fire engulfing a cityscape, with flames and smoke billowing into the sky. Kiyochika masterfully uses dark tones and strong contrasts to convey the intensity of the fire and the chaos of the event, capturing the moment with an immediacy that reflects the style of Western journalism. The print, housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, offers a poignant glimpse into the anxieties and realities of urban life in 19th century Japan, highlighting the devastating impact of fires and the resilience of communities.