Ukiyo-e Poster Capturing the Poetic Essence of Traditional Japanese Culture - Fire Foxes on New Year's Eve by Hiroshige

"Fire Foxes on New Year's Eve under the Enoki Tree near Ōji" (original title: 王子装束ゑの木大晦日の狐火) is a woodblock print by the Japanese painter and illustrator Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) produced in September 1857.

This print is one of the most renowned in the series, and the only one to depict an imaginary scene. In this nocturnal composition, a starry gray-blue sky overlooks a large hackberry tree (enoki) surrounded by numerous foxes. Their breath creates glows resembling will-o'-the-wisps.

The focus is on this group of animals near the tree in the foreground, while other foxes, still in the distance, move towards them, appearing as small points of light in the darkness.

The strong light around the foxes contrasts with the darkness of the night, creating a dramatic and mysterious atmosphere. The artist uses bokashi techniques, shades of gray and mica powder, as well as overprints of green to depict the plants.

According to the legend that inspired this work, foxes gather under this tree at New Year's to worship the god of rice (Inari), then travel to the nearby Ōji Inari Shrine (also known as Shōzoku Inari) to receive their annual missions. The number of foxes and the shape of their will-o'-the-wisps allow local farmers to predict the upcoming harvest.

Hiroshige used four-color printing to emphasize the drama and fantasy of this scene.