Dawn over Mout Fuji and Susaki, from the series "Five Views of Mount Fuji (Fuji goban no uchi)"

Art Historical Context

Behold *Dawn over Mount Fuji andaki*, a captivating color woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniy (1797–1861), from his series *Five Views of Mount Fuji (Fuji goban no uchi)*, created around 1827–29. This intimate shikishiban surimono—measuring just 20.9 × 18.3 cm—captures the sacred peak at dawn, with the foreground expanse of Susaki, a coastal area near Edo (modern Tokyo), bathed in soft morning light. Kuniyoshi, a master of the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") tradition, here shifts from his renowned warrior and supernatural themes to poetic landscapes, evoking the era's fascination with nature's beauty amid urban life. Surimono prints like this were luxurious, privately commissioned works, often for New Year's greetings or poetry clubs, featuring vibrant colors, fine gradations (bokashi), and subtle textures from woodblock carving. The compact square format made them perfect for albums or fans, showcasing the printer's artistry in layering pigments for luminous effects. Mount Fuji, Japan's enduring symbol of divinity and endurance, held deep cultural resonance in Edo-period Japan, inspiring pilgrimages and art. Displayed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print highlights Kuniyoshi's versatility and the democratic appeal of ukiyo-e, bringing ephemeral beauty to everyday viewers. Imagine the hush of dawn as Fuji's silhouette emerges—timeless serenity in ink and paper.

About the Artist

Utagawa Kuniyoshi · 1797–1861

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) was born in Edo to the silk-dyer Yanagiya Kichiyemon, originally bearing the childhood name Yoshisaburō. From a young age, he assisted in his family's pattern design work, which sharpened his innate mastery of color and textile motifs that would permeate his later prints. At around twelve years old, his prodigious drawing skills drew the attention of the renowned Utag...