Hokusai and the Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji - In Japan, Mt. Fuji is a sacred place and a symbol of the country itself. Rising majestically near the center of Japan, Fuji dominates the landscape and the Japanese national identity. At the age of sixty-nine, the great Hokusai began what would become the most famous landscape print series of ukiyo-e, his incredible Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.

Originally intended to comprise thirty-six prints, the publisher added an additional ten images, bringing the series total to forty-six woodblocks. Originally published around 1830, Hokusai's bold compositions capture the strength, beauty, and symbolism of Mt. Fuji in rain and snow, at sunrise and dusk, and from a variety of vantage points. The series includes some of Hokusai's greatest masterpieces. These fantastic images portray the strength and majesty of nature, leading the viewer to contemplate man's place in relation to the natural world. A truly magnificent series, Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji justly remains Hokusai's most famous and highly regarded work.

1930's Reprints - These early reprints were produced using traditional inks and papers in the 1930's before World War II. With the influx of foreigners following the war, there were a great number of prints produced for visitors unfamiliar with the tradition of Japanese woodblock printing. These prints, however, were produced for local collectors and so great care was taken to finely emulate the original prints. These 1930's prints bear a rectangular red seal and, while they are recognized by collectors as being reprints of the finest quality, the name of the publisher was lost. A rare, beautiful print with an attractive sense of age

Red Fuji - One of the most famous and sought after woodblock prints of all time. Fuji is said to take on a red color in the early morning and around sunset. This is especially noticeable on a summer day with the undulating clouds and a clear sky as shown here. The design is simple and an artistic masterpiece. This print, along with the Great Wave, is thought to be the best of the series and the masterworks of Hokusai's career. A lovely printing with beautiful bokashi shading and embossing around the edges of the clouds.

Artist - Hokusai (1760 - 1849)

Image Size - 9 3/4" x 15" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight thinning and paper remnants on reverse at top corners from previous mounting. Slight toning, small spot, red seal at lower left edge. Please see photos for details. Good overall.