The Conflagration Seen From The Hisamatsu District 1877 - 1882

Kobayashi Kiyochika's woodblock print, "The Conflagration Seen From The Hisamatsu District," created between 1877 and 1882, depicts a dramatic scene of a fire in Tokyo. The artist, known for his vibrant depictions of urban life in late 19th century Japan, uses bold strokes and a limited color palette to highlight the intense flames consuming the cityscape. The viewer is drawn to the swirling smoke and fiery orange sky as the flames engulf the buildings. The silhouette of figures below, silhouetted against the burning buildings, emphasizes the chaos and scale of the event. This print is a compelling example of Kiyochika's ability to capture both the beauty and the danger of urban life in Japan during a time of rapid change.