Tago Bay near Ejiri on the Tokaido (Tokaido Ejiri Tagonoura ryakuzu), from the series "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjurokkei)"

Art Historical Context

Katsushika Hokus's *Tago Bay near Ej on the Tokaido (Tokaido Ejiri Tagonoura ryakuzu, created around 1830–33, is a captivating entry in his renowned series *Thirty-six Views Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjurokkei)*. This color woodblock print captures the beauty of Tago Bay along the historic Tōkaidō road—one of Japan's five main highways connecting Edo (modern Tokyo) to Kyoto In the foreground, travelers and boats dot the misty shoreline, while the majestic Mount Fuji looms dramatically in the background, its snow-capped peak piercing the clouds. Hokusai masterfully uses the bay's curve to frame the mountain, inviting viewers into this everyday yet poetic landscape. As an *oban*-sized woodblock print (25.9 × 37.7 cm), the work exemplifies ukiyo-e, the "pictures of the floating world" genre that flourished in Edo-period Japan (1603–1868). Hokusai's innovative techniques, including vibrant Prussian blue pigments and precise carving by skilled artisans, allowed for affordable mass production, making art accessible beyond the elite. The series revolutionized landscape depiction, emphasizing Fufi's spiritual allure—a sacred site for pilgrims—over human drama. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this print highlights Hokusai's enduring influence, inspiring later Western artists like Monet and Van Gogh. It reminds us of nature's timeless majesty amid human journeys.

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...