Fireflies Over the Uji River by Moonlight 1868 - 1912

Suzuki Shōnen painted Fireflies Over the Uji River by Moonlight in the late 19th or early 20th century, using ink and color on silk. The shimmering luminosity of the fireflies, the reflection of the moonlight, and the gently flowing water, are all rendered with the softest of brushstrokes. This reflects a deeply refined technique, one that extends back centuries in the Japanese tradition. Notice the way the artist modulates the ink to create depth and texture. The silk ground itself contributes to the effect, its subtle weave catching the light. The apparent simplicity of the image belies the labor involved in its making; the skilled preparation of the ink, the delicate handling of the brush, the careful mounting of the silk. It also connects to larger issues, with the artist referencing not just the beauty of nature, but also the refined aesthetic values of his culture. So, in considering an artwork like this, we can look beyond the image itself, towards the material, the making, and the cultural context that gives it meaning.