The Nihonbashi Bridge in Edo
***NEEDS WORK***
The famous Nihonbashi bridge spanning the Nihon River seen in the extreme foreground with workers and townspeople packing the bridge, moving in each direction. This was the central commercial district in Edo, and looking down the river one sees Fuji rising in the background.
Last Update: 07/28/17
View of the Mitsui Stores at Surugacho in Edo
Terrific depiction of Mt. Fuji in winter, with kites flying high in the sky on New Year's Day. The impressive buildings of the Echigoya Mitsui Clothing Store frame the view in the foreground, with workmen repairing the tiled roof at right, one tossing a straw bundle down to a waiting man with his arms outstretched. The Mitsui sign at lower left reads "Braided Cords and Threads," while the sign at right announces "Clothing," and both advertise the store's cash payment policy, a new business practice at the time rather than billing the customer once or twice yearly. The buildings are beautifully detailed, creating a nice contrast with the simple form of the mountain in the distance. A lovely design with attractive color and fine bokashi shading in the sky.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Surugadai in Edo
In Hokusai's time, Surugadai was famous for its mansions of the ruling class. The area offered incredible views of Mt. Fuji, along with close proximity to the shogun. The tiled roof of a daimyo's mansion frames the view at lower right, while travelers and pedestrians walk along the busy road. The snow-covered peak of Mt. Fuji rises in the distance beyond the rooftops of the city. An attractive design, nicely detailed.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Honganji Temple at Asakusa in Edo
A fantastic Fuji view with the rooftop of Honganji Temple in the foreground. It is New Year's Day, a kite is flying and workers replace tiles on the huge temple roof. Wonderful view from Hokusai's series.
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Lumberyards on the Takekawa River at Honjo
Terrific view of the busy lumberyard at Honjo, with a man at left atop a tower of wood, tossing a piece down to his companion. At right, another worker saws a thick plank into smaller pieces of dimensional lumber. Cut pieces are bundled and stacked along the wooden frame that holds uncut lumber at lower right. Houses line the opposite shore of the Takekawa River, with the peak of Mt Fuji in the distance at upper right. Wonderful detail in this fascinating subject, with fine bokashi shading in the water and sky.
Last Update: 07/28/17
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.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Turban-Shell Hall of the Five Hundred Rakan Temple
***NEEDS REVIEW***
Handsome design of visitors admiring the view of Mt. Fuji from the verandah of the Sazai or Turban-shell Hall of the Five Hundred Rakan Temple. At left, a young man perches atop the bottom railing, gesturing excitedly at the snow-capped peak, while a beauty rests her forearms against the top rail. At right, two pilgrims take a break, sitting on the floor for a rest. Each wears a golden yellow vest and has a large pack. Along the horizon, a lumberyard can be seen at right, at right and rooftops peek above the green foliage on either side of the sacred mountain. A handsome composition with the horizontal lines nicely countered by the vertical elements the building at right along with the floorboards. Nicely detailed and shaded.
Last Update: 07/28/17
The Cushion Pine at Aoyama, Edo
A fantastic Hokusai design depicting the famous pine tree in the garden of Ryuganji, the enormous spreading boughs propped with wooden supports, the legs of a gardener seen trimming the branches below the pine. Beautiful view of Fuji.
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Waterwheel at Onden
Handsome view of farmers working at a mill, with water cascading from the wheel as it powers the machinery inside. Two men carry bags of grain on their back up a hill, while a woman rinses a filled basket in the racing water. The small boy at left has a pet turtle on a string. Mt. Fuji rises in the distance above low-lying clouds, the farmers oblivious to its presence as they go about their daily work. A striking composition with wonderful detail.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Lower Meguro
Beautiful Hokusai image of a thatch-roofed farming village, the surrounding hills terraced for cultivation. In a valley between the hills, Mt. Fuji can be seen in the distance. In the foreground at right, two falconers stop to question a local farmer. An attractive design, with low-lying clouds framing the scene at the bottom.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Snowy Morning at Koishikawa
***NEEDS WORK***
Beautiful, snowy landscape and Fuji view, several people seen gathered to view the snow-covered mountain from their home on the left side of the print. Excellent color in this charming design.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Sekiya Village on the Sumida River
Beautiful Hokusai print depicting three riders racing along a winding road through the marshy land north of the Arakawa River. Their robes flutter in the wind behind them as they lean forward, their heads hidden beneath their woven hats. A rugged pine tree frames a view of Mt. Fuji in the distance, and an official notice board anchors the scene at right. Lovely color and movement in this handsome design.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Senju in Musashi Province
Beautiful view of Fuji from Senju, a suburb of Edo. Two fishermen sit along the edge of the canal and fish from the Arakawa River. A traveler looks across towards Fuji and leads his tired horse behind him.
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Fuji Seen from the Senju Pleasure Quarters
A scene of samurais marching in procession, carrying their guns wrapped in brown cloth. The snow-covered Fuji in the background and the earthy colors dominating the print suggest a late autumn scene. A nice print with a strong composition and perspective.
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Tsukuda Island in Musashi Province, Edo
Attractive view of boats returning home to Tsukuda Island at the mouth of the Sumida River as the sun sets. Some vessels carry fishermen while others are piled high with goods. The rooftops of the village are nestled among the dark trees, with masts visible on the other side of the isle from ships already anchored for the night. A soft warm glow spreads along the horizon, with the peak of Mt. Fuji towering above. Beautiful bokashi shading in this handsome design.
Last Update: 07/28/17
At Sea off Kazusa
A view of two ships sailing across an expansive sea. The billowing sails and change in color from a deep blue in the foreground to the green of the horizon creates a strong feeling of movement. A very thorough depiction of the ships, with fine color and detail.
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The Bay of Noboto in Shimosa Province
***NEEDS WORK***
Men and women gathering clams in the shallow waters of Noboto Bay on a summer morning in this beautiful Hokusai print. Two children play in the water and Fuji rises in the distance through the large torii gate. Great print.
Last Update: 07/28/17
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.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Fuji from Gotenyama
Charming scene of cherry blossom viewing at Gotenyama, the hill north of Shinagawa in Edo. At lower right, people stroll along a path, a couple of men waving fans as they dance about. At left, three men enjoy sake as they relax on a mat beneath the flowering pink trees. The snow covered peak of Mt. Fuji can be seen in the distance framed by the trees. An attractive spring view.
Last Update: 07/28/17
The Great Wave
Perhaps the most famous woodblock print of all time. Certainly a masterpiece of Japanese art. Hokusai's Great Wave is an incredible woodblock design. The image depicts two groups of brave men fighting the rolling waters of the sea. A huge curl of wave rises from the left and frames a view of Fuji - tranquil and oblivious to the challenge of the humans.
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The Tama River in Musashi Province, Edo
Serene, early morning view of the Tama River beneath a heavy fog. A lone fishing boat makes is way across the undulating current, and a farmer pauses to let his horse drink from the river. Mt. Fuji rises above the fog in the distance. A lovely print with soft color and fine bokashi shading.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Hodogaya on the Tokaido Road
Interesting scene of travelers along the Tokaido Road near Hodogaya. At left, a palanquin bearer stops to mend his broken sandal, while behind them a groom leads a horse with a rider. A wandering priest called a komuso makes his way in the other direction. The tall pine trees frame a lovely view of Mt. Fuji in the distance. A handsome design with fine color and soft bokashi shading.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Shichiri Beach in Sagami Province
Handsome view of Shichiri Beach in Sagami Province, with waves rolling up to the shore at left. The ground sweeps around to the right, a small village tucked among the trees along the water's edge. Mt. Fuji rises majestically in the distance, with swirling clouds drifting along the horizon against a softly shaded sky. An attractive composition.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Enoshima in Sagami Province
Beautiful landscape view of the island of Enoshima, home of a large temple dedicated to Benzaiten, the Buddhist female deity of the arts, wealth, and good fortune. Pilgrims can be seen approaching the island along a sand bar at low tide, with waves foaming along the shore. The temple's pagoda rises above the treetops, and Mt. Fuji can be seen in the distance at right. Wonderful detail in this attractive design.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Nakahara in Sagami Province
Handsome view of travelers and workers crossing a wooden plank bridge over a narrow river or canal. At left, a woman balances a wooden tub filled with laundry on her head, holding the edge as she walks. Below, a fisherman standing in the shallow water digs for shellfish. Mt. Fuji rises above the clouds in the distance. An interesting design, nicely composed.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Near Umezawa Manor in Sagami Province
Beautiful view of Mount Fuji towering majestically above the horizon while cranes, Japan's most sacred bird, gather in the foreground. A few cranes take flight above the clouds drifting across the scene. Beautifully colored and detailed, with fine bokashi shading.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Hakone Lake in Sagami Province
Beautiful scene high in the mountains near Hakone. Early morning fog rolls over Hakone Lake, drifting among the pine trees and curving hills, a few houses nestled among the foliage along the shore at right. Mt. Fuji can be seen in the distance. A peaceful landscape, attractive colored with fine bokashi shading.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Mishima Pass in Kai Province
Wonderful scene of travelers relaxing on the hilly Mishima Pass. Attempting to measure the circumference of the large tree dominating the landscape, three men stretch their arms around the trunk. Another fellow smokes a pipe as he sits next to a bundle of firewood. Swirling clouds drift around the base and peak of Mt. Fuji in the background. A terrific design with lovely color and detail.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Fuji from the Tea Plantation of Katakura in Suruga Province
Terrific scene of the Katakura tea plantation in Suruga Province. Men carrying baskets of leaves work in the foreground while women in bamboo hats pick tea leaves in the background. The snow-covered peak of Mt. Fuji rises in the distance, and a large tree frames the scene at right. A handsome design with wonderful detail.
Last Update: 07/28/17
The New Fields of Ono in Suruga Province
Wonderful early morning view of the new rice fields in Ono, with mist rising above the water and a few birds taking flight. In the foreground, farmers lead oxen piled with loads of reeds, a couple of men at left carrying smaller bundles on their backs. Clouds drift past the base of Mt. Fuji in the distance above the deep green hillsides. A charming subject from daily life, nicely detailed.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Thunderstorm Beneath the Summit
Dramatic image of a thunderstorm beneath the summit of Mt. Fuji, with red lightning flashing across the dark sky. Above the snow-capped peak, hints of blue sky peek through the swirling white clouds. A terrific, bold design and one of the most famous images from this series.
Last Update: 07/28/17
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 are thought to be the best prints of the series and the masterworks of Hokusai's career.
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Mountain Climbers
An interesting and unusual view of Fuji, the only print not depicting the mountain's general configuration. Here pilgrims are seen climbing up the side of the road, a large group huddled in the cave for warmth. Great scene.
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Ejiri in Suruga Province
Terrific scene of travelers surprised by a sudden gust of wind as they follow a road through a marshy area at Ejiri. In the center, one man reaches vainly into the air as his hat goes sailing up into the sky, his fellow traveler struggling to hold onto their own headgear. At left, a beauty's packet of tissues flutters off into the wind past the tall tree trunks framing a view of Mt. Fuji in the distance. A charming design with a beautiful setting.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Tago Bay near Ejiri on the Tokaido Road
Handsome view of two boats moving through the choppy sea at Tago Bay near Ejiri, the rowers pulling with all their might against the undulating waves. Workers are busy on the salt flats near the water's edge, with a village nestled among the trees beyond. This location has long been known as a terrific place to view Mt. Fuji, which rises majestically above the low-lying clouds. A beautiful design.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Fuji from Kanaya on the Tokaido Road
Terrific image of travelers crossing the swift current of the Oi River. Undulating waves carry the voyagers in a sweeping motion across the scene, creating a wonderful sense of movement. A marvelous composition, beautifully detailed and colored.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Woodcutters in the Totomi Mountains
Extraordinary view of woodcutters at work in the Totomi Mountains. A huge piece of lumber is propped diagonally as two men saw into the wood, making dimensioned lumber. At left, another man sharpens the teeth of a saw blade, while a woman with a child on her back gestures towards the smoke billowing upwards from a fire. Clouds swirl around the peak of Mt. Fuji, echoing the shape of the smoke. A terrific design, wonderfully detailed and colored.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Yoshida on the Tokaido Road
Terrific illustration of the famous teahouse along the Tokaido road, the sign in the foreground proudly proclaiming "Fuji Viewing Teahouse." Visitors relax on the benches, enjoying a view of snow-capped Mt. Fuji in the distance, or smoking a pipe. At lower left, an old man repairs a straw sandal, beating it with a wooden mallet. A handsome design, nicely composed.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Fujimigahara ("Fuji-View Fields")
Striking view of Mt. Fuji from across Fujimigahara, framed by the opening of an enormous wooden tub. A cooper labors inside the barrel, with tools and materials scattered along the ground nearby. Fields stretch across the plain to the dark green line of trees on the horizon, with the peak of the sacred mountain rising above. A handsome design, nicely colored and shaded.
Last Update: 07/28/17
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.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Reflection in Lake Misaka, Kai Province
***NEEDS WORK***
Wonderful view of Fuji in Lake Misaka. An interesting design, Hokusai seems to want to show both of Fuji's faces. The barren summer peak bathed in sunlight and the reflection in the water showing snow covered Fuji, a winter condition. Excellent soft color and fine detail. Would make a lovely display.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Dawn at Isawa in Kai Province
Early morning as the sun rises in a village near a river, the mountain seen in the distance. Foretelling sunrise, Fuji stands against a pink sky. Travelers arranging their packs to continue down the road for the day.
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Lake Suwa in Shinano Province
Beautiful landscape of Lake Suwa framed by a large tree in the foreground. A single boat moves along the calm water, with Takashima Castle at left on a peninsula extending into the lake. Mt. Fuji can be seen on the horizon just beyond. A striking composition with lovely color and detail.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Fuji from Kajikazawa
Famous scene of a fisherman casting his net into the turbulent waters off Kajikazawa as white-capped waves crash along the rocky shore. The peak of Mt. Fuji rises above the fog, its triangular shape echoing that created by the rock and the fishing lines below. A beautiful design with a terrific composition, with lovely color and fine bokashi shading. A great choice for display.
Last Update: 07/28/17
The Back of Mt. Fuji from the Minobu River
Handsome scene with an unusual view of Mt. Fuji from the back side, with rugged mountains towering above it. Low-lying clouds separate the peaks from the undulating water of the Minobu River as travelers make their way along the shore. Nicely shaded and softly colored.
Last Update: 07/28/17
Viewing Sunset over the Ryogoku Bridge from the Ommaya Embankment
Handsome view of a ferry crowded with passengers as it leaves the Ommaya embankment. Beyond the Ryogoku Bridge, the peak of Mt. Fuji can be seen as the sun sets, flooding the sky with warm light under the evening sky. On the far shore at center, houses are silhouetted in gray, dotted with light from the glowing windows. A beautiful image with lovely color and shading.
Last Update: 07/28/17