Ukiyo-e Print: Foxfires on New Year's Eve, Hiroshige

This reproduction of an old illustration portrays the "Foxfires on New Year's Eve under the Enoki tree near Oji." It is a fascinating nocturnal composition where golden foxes gather under a bare hackberry tree. The scene is punctuated by will-o'-the-wisps, representing the breath of the animals in the winter night, creating an atmosphere that is both mysterious and sacred at the heart of snowy landscapes.

Created by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1857, this print is the only imaginary and supernatural scene in the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo. The artist uses striking chromatic contrasts between the dark blue of the starry sky and the luminosity of the foxes. The bokashi technique and the use of mica powder bring textural depth to the snowdrifts and the luminous mist surrounding the creatures.

This naturalist and mythological plate is aimed at collectors of Japanese legendary tales and traditional iconography. It can be observed for its unique narrative strength or used as a central decorative element. Its iconographic value lies in the balance between the precision of the animal drawings and the dreamlike quality of the historical staging.