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.

Gihachi Okuyama Nippon Wood-prints Studio - In 1946, woodblock print artist Gihachi or Gihachiro Okuyama created the Japanese Hanga Institution (Nippon Wood-prints Studio) along with other artists to help re-establish traditional Japanese woodblock printing, which had fallen out of favor. The Tokyo studio produced fine woodblock reprints of classic ukiyo-e subjects, including works by Hiroshige and Hokusai. Unfortunately, the studio did not do well financially and was closed, likely around 1954. Beautifully printed and detailed, these high-quality reprints are a wonderful way to acquire a classic ukiyo-e image.

Under the Mannen Bridge at Fukagawa, Edo - Handsome view of the Mannen Bridge over the Onagigawa or Onagi River where it flows into the Sumida River. Travelers cross the arched bridge while cargo and fishing boats move along the water below. At lower right, a fisherman perches on a rock jutting up from the water. Mt. Fuji can be seen in the distance, neatly framed by the wooden pilings of the bridge. Fishermen sit below, while travelers pass across bridge. Lovely color and shading.

Artist - Hokusai (1760 - 1849)

Image Size - 9 7/8" x 14 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - Excellent overall with no issues to report.