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.

Fuji from Ushibori in Hitachi Province - Intriguing view of a large boat jutting into marshy waters. A man leaning out of a window empties a pot over the side of a ship, while another man can be seen sitting in the doorway to the cabin. The hold of the vessel is filled with carefully stacked goods, with reed matting rolled up on shelves at right. Two herons take flight above the grasses at left, the peak of Mt. Fuji rising in the distance at right. Beautiful soft color, almost monochromatic in blue with just a few touches of peach and green. A striking composition, wonderfully detailed.

Woodblock reprints - In the 20th century, artists and publishers collaborated to recreate famous woodblock prints for interested Japanese collectors and Westerners looking for rare designs. New blocks were made, and the prints were painstakingly printed by artisan printers in the same method as the 19th century originals - one block for each color. Woodblock reprints were an opportunity to collect and enjoy a famous design at a small fraction of the price of an original. They still are today.

Artist - Hokusai (1760 - 1849)

Image Size - 9 7/8" x 14 7/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.