Fukami Jikyu in maanlicht

About this artwork

Gift of H. Filedt-Kok Piebenga, Amsterdam

Art Historical Context

Step into the ethereal glow of *Fukami Jikyu in maanlicht* (Fukami Jikyu in Moonlight), a captivating color woodcut by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, created on June 23, 1887. Measuring 356 mm high by 243 mm wide, this intimate print belongs to Yoshitoshi's renowned series *One Hundred Aspects of the Moon* (Tsuki Hyakushi), produced between 1885 and 1892. It depicts the historical poet and warrior Fukami Jikyu bathed in soft lunar light, evoking Japan's rich tradition of moon-gazing poetry and legend during the late Meiji era—a time of rapid modernization clashing with enduring cultural reverence for nature's cycles. Yoshitoshi, often called the last great master of ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world), blended dramatic historical narratives with supernatural flair, pushing the boundaries of woodblock printing. His style features bold compositions, intricate details, and a masterful use of color blocks—up to 10 or more carved separately and overlaid by artisans for vibrant, brocade-like effects (nishiki-e). This technique, honed in Edo-period workshops, allowed affordable mass production while achieving stunning depth and luminosity, influencing global artists like Van Gogh. Generously gifted by H. Filedt-Kok Piebenga of Amsterdam, this print graces our collection as a bridge between Japanese artistry and Western appreciation. Gaze upon it to feel the moon's timeless pull, whispering stories of valor and transience.

About the Artist

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi · 1839–1892

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi was born on April 30, 1839, in the Shimbashi district of Edo, the city that would become Tokyo. At the age of eleven he was apprenticed to Utagawa Kuniyoshi, one of the great masters of the Japanese woodblock print, who gave the boy the artist name 'Yoshitoshi' as a mark of lineage within the Utagawa School. From Kuniyoshi, Yoshitoshi absorbed the full tradition of ukiyo-e — th...