Artwork preview

Fireflies Over the Uji River by Moonlight

Suzuki Shōnen

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Vertical Japanese-style painting on silk or paper with a light blue patterned border and gold bands at top and bottom. The scene depicts a riverbank at night. The river runs across the bottom, curving left and right in soft S-shapes. The right bank in the foreground has thin bare tree branches with a few sparse leaves and pink flowers on the left. The riverbank on the right curves into the distance to the left and is obscured by darkness. The sky is dark with many small yellow lights resembling fireflies scattered throughout. The color palette is predominantly dark, with shades of brown, gray, and black. The overall effect is serene and peaceful, capturing a moment in a natural setting under moonlight.

Artwork Details

Medium
Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
299 × 625 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette