諸國名橋奇覧 摂洲阿治川口天保山|Tenpōzan at the Mouth of the Aji River in Settsu Province (Sesshū Ajikawaguchi Tenpōzan), from the series Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces (Shokoku meikyō kiran)
1827–30
Medium
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
H. 10 in. (25.4 cm); W. 14 5/8 in. (37.1 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1923
Accession Number
JP1457
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Katsushika Hokusai, the legendary Japanese artist renowned for his ukiyo-e woodblock, created *Tenpōzan at the Mouth of the Aji in Settsu Province around 1827–30 as part of his series *Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces During Japan's Edo period (16151868), ukiyo-e captured the fleeting beauty of everyday life and landscapes, making art accessible to the masses through affordable prints. This work showcases Hokusai's mastery in depicting dynamic natural scenes, with the prominent Tenpōzan hill overlooking the Aji River's mouth in Settsu Province (modern-day Osaka area), alive with bridges, boats, rivers, and trees. The woodblock print medium—ink and color layered on paper—allowed Hokusai to achieve vibrant hues and precise lines through collaborative carving and printing techniques. Measuring about 10 by 14 inches, its intimate scale invited viewers into a panoramic vista, blending human activity with nature's grandeur. Hokusai's innovative perspectives and bold compositions influenced global artists, from Impressionists like Monet to modern graphic design. This Met print, acquired via the Rogers Fund in 1923, highlights Edo Japan's fascination with famous bridges as symbols of connectivity and progress. Imagine merchants bustling on boats below the hill—Hokusai freezes a moment of serene yet lively harmony, inviting us to ponder the enduring allure of Japan's waterways.
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...