Kiku ni Chō 菊に蝶（きくにちょう）｜Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重（うたがわひろしげ） This elegant woodblock print depicts butterflies fluttering and resting among chrysanthemums in full bloom. By employing a subdued, dark-toned background, the artist creates a quiet and lyrical atmosphere that differs from Hiroshige’s well-known landscape works. The restrained palette enhances the delicacy of the flowers and the gentle movement of the butterflies, evoking a sense of seasonal stillness and refined beauty. The composition is designed in a horizontal, fan-shaped format originally intended for uchiwa (Japanese fans), a distinctive genre that combines fine art with everyday life in Edo-period culture. This design-oriented approach highlights Hiroshige’s versatility beyond landscape imagery. This work is a posthumous re-carving produced after 1950. Despite being a later edition, the print shows no noticeable printing irregularities or color inconsistencies, resulting in a remarkably clean and well-balanced impression. It is an excellent example of how Hiroshige’s poetic sensibility continued to be appreciated and carefully reproduced in the postwar period. --- Artist Profile 1797 Born in Edo (present-day Tokyo) 1833 Published the series “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō” from Hōeidō 1858 Died --- Accessories None --- Dimensions & Weight Sheet size Height 27 cm Width 40 cm Weight 7 g Total packaged size Height 27 cm Width 40 cm Thickness 0.1 cm --- Technique & Condition Technique Woodblock print Material Japanese paper Period 1960–1970 Condition Good --- Shipping Shipping via Japan Post EMS from Japan. Items are shipped only to countries where EMS delivery from Japan is available. Items are securely packed to ensure safe international delivery. Import duties, VAT, and customs handling fees are the sole responsibility of the buyer. For bidders in the United States: Please note that Japan Post is currently not accepting EMS shipments of commercial goods to the United States. If the winning bidder’s shipping address is in the United States, the item will be shipped via DHL Express instead. Please be aware that shipping costs via DHL are significantly higher than EMS rates.