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Suzuki Harunobu

Catching Fireflies

About 1767
Color woodblock print; chūban
27.2 × 20.3 cm (10.7 × 8 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Suzuki Harunobu made this print depicting two people catching fireflies during the early years of full-color printing. Here the night appears as a flat black, and the fireflies have no glow. Instead of atmospheric effects, the image focuses on the complicated and elegant design of the colorful clothing worn by the young man and woman.

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