Lake Suwa in Shinano Province (Shinshu Suwako), from the series "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjurokkei)"

Art Historical Context

Katsushika Hokusai's *Lake Suwa in Shinano Province (Shinshu Suako)* is a captivating color woodblock print from his series *Thirty-six Views Mount Fuji (Fug sanjurokkei)*, created around 1830–33. At the height of Japan's Edo period, Hokusai, a master of ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world"), revolutionized landscape art by depicting Mount Fuji from unconventional vantage points across the country. This oban-sized print (25.8 × 37.5 cm) captures the sacred Lake Suwa in Shinano Province, with the majestic Fuji looming in the distance, evoking a sense of awe and harmony between nature's grandeur and human activity. The woodblock technique allowed Hokusai to layer vibrant colors and precise lines, achieved through collaborative carving and printing by skilled artisans—a hallmark of ukiyo-e's democratic appeal, making art accessible beyond elites. This series, originally planned for 36 views but expanded to 46, showcased innovative perspectives and bold compositions that influenced Western artists like Monet and Van Gogh. Hokusai's dynamic use of space and weather effects here highlights Fuji's spiritual significance in Japanese culture, symbolizing endurance and beauty. Today, housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this print invites visitors to ponder the timeless allure of Japan's natural wonders through one of history's most iconic artistic lenses.

About the Artist

Katsushika Hokusai · 1760–1849

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) stands as one of history's most influential artists, a Japanese master who revolutionized the ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition and profoundly shaped Western art. Born in the Katsushika district of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to an artisan family, Hokusai lived through nearly nine decades of extraordinary creative evolution, adopting over thirty different artistic names t...