The Glow of The Night
Hunting Fireflies by Kajima Seibei 1897
This black and white photograph of three hangyoku (young geisha) from the Shinbashi geisha district of Tokyo hunting fireflies, was taken in 1897 by Kajima Seibei. Translucent washes were then meticulously added by an expert hand-colourist to give the effect of a colour photograph.
A Disappearing Tradition The Glow of the Night.
In Japan, watching the fireflies in the night known as hotaru are a well known summer pasttime.
Often described in Japanese literature as a magical moment of contemplation equivalent to that of watching the cherry blossoms, catching fireflies was a popular pasttime of the Japanese bourgeoisie.
This hobby, called hotaru-gari (firefly hunting), was done in the countryside, near stream. Many prints of the Edo Period (1603-1867) depict young women dressed in beautiful kimono walking under willow trees, equipped with boxes (for catching) and fans.
The end of May and throughout June is firefly season in Japan and now.. Beginning with the genjibotaru (ゲンジボタル, laciola), you can spot many different varieties of fireflies near clear streams. Firefly viewing is a time-honored tradition and one of the features of Japanese summers. It may be a little difficult to see wild fireflies in the city center, but in places currently engaged in redeveloping the natural environment, and artificially rearing fireflies, it’s possible to view them.
This black and white photograph of three hangyoku (young geisha) from the Shinbashi geisha district of Tokyo hunting fireflies, was taken in 1897 by Kajima Seibei. Translucent washes were then meticulously added by an expert hand-colourist to give the effect of a colour photograph.
A Disappearing Tradition The Glow of the Night.
In Japan, watching the fireflies in the night known as hotaru are a well known summer pasttime.
Often described in Japanese literature as a magical moment of contemplation equivalent to that of watching the cherry blossoms, catching fireflies was a popular pasttime of the Japanese bourgeoisie.
This hobby, called hotaru-gari (firefly hunting), was done in the countryside, near stream. Many prints of the Edo Period (1603-1867) depict young women dressed in beautiful kimono walking under willow trees, equipped with boxes (for catching) and fans.
The end of May and throughout June is firefly season in Japan and now.. Beginning with the genjibotaru (ゲンジボタル, laciola), you can spot many different varieties of fireflies near clear streams. Firefly viewing is a time-honored tradition and one of the features of Japanese summers. It may be a little difficult to see wild fireflies in the city center, but in places currently engaged in redeveloping the natural environment, and artificially rearing fireflies, it’s possible to view them.
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