68 Takahashi Bihō 1873 – ? Bat in Moon

Japan, ca. 1905 (late Meiji period)

This mesmerizing and compositionally bold sheet was designed by the artist Takahashi Biho. In a strikingly minimalist fashion, the scene captures the dark silhouette of a bat in mid-flight, contrasting sharply against the large, glowing orb of a full moon. While often associated with the macabre in the West, the bat (kōmori) in Japanese and Chinese culture is a traditional and highly auspicious symbol of good fortune. Biho masterfully employs the delicate bokashi shading technique in the night sky and the moon itself, giving the flat composition a profound visual depth and an almost magical, dreamlike atmosphere. Dating to around 1905, the print features the artist's signature "Biho" (美邦) accompanied by a red seal in the lower-right corner.