New Year's Eve Foxfires at the Changing Tree, Ōji

ca. 1857

Not on view

Foxes gather at the large, old enoki (hackberry) tree on New Year's Eve to prepare to pay homage at the Ōji Inari shrine, the headquarters of the Inari cult in eastern Japan (Kantō). The cult centers on the god of the rice field, for whom the fox serves as messenger. On the way to Ōji, the foxes have set a number of kitsunebi (foxfires), which farmers count to predict the upcoming rice harvest. Hiroshige's print successfully conveys the mysterious atmosphere of the rite as the procession of foxes bearing fires approaches from the distant, dark forest under a starry sky.

Artwork Details

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Exhibition History

名所江戸百景　王子装束ゑの木大晦日の狐火
Title: New Year's Eve Foxfires at the Changing Tree, Ōji
Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1797–1858 Tokyo (Edo))
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1857
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: Image: 12 13/16 × 8 5/8 in. (32.5 × 21.9 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
Object Number: JP1470
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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Foxes Meeting at Oji, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Foxes Meeting at Oji
Utagawa Hiroshige
1857

Shozokuenoki Tree at Oji: Fox–fires on New Years Eve, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Shozokuenoki Tree at Oji: Fox–fires on New Years Eve
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1857

Small View of Yedo, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Print, Japanese — Small View of Yedo
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1817–58

Hiratsuka, Nawate Do, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Hiratsuka, Nawate Do
Utagawa Hiroshige
ca. 1834

Yokkaichi, Sanchokawa, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Yokkaichi, Sanchokawa
Utagawa Hiroshige
ca. 1834

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