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.

Mainichi Shimbun Publisher - From a fine collection of mid-20th century Utamaro reprints published by Mainichi Shimbun. This Tokyo publisher carved blocks and reprinted many of the great masterwork designs of the Edo era. Their work was exquisite with an emphasis on quality, not quantity. Note the exceptional detail, carefully shaded printing, fine mica backgrounds, embossing, and other deluxe techniques. Mainichi prints are perfect for the collector or for the highest quality reprint for display.

View from Inume Pass in Kai Province - Handsome view of the snow-capped peak of Mt. Fuji from the hillside of Inume Pass on the Koshu Road. On the gentle slope at the left, two travelers walk in front of horses laden with cargo. At right, two men toil up the steeper part of the hill, one man using a walking stick as he climbs. Clouds drift across the valley at the base of the sacred mountain, with a few pine trees in the center just below the hill. A beautiful composition, attractively colored, with fine bokashi shading and embossing on the misty clouds floating across the peach colored sky.

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.