The fisherman Hakuryo and Mount Fuji

About this artwork

Sori's range of subjects, like Hokusai's, was broader than most artists of ukiyo-e. His work included classical literary subjects, such as Six Immortal Poets, and sympathetic renderings of humble peasants, like this fisherman posed in strict profile with the sacred Mount Fuji silhouetted in the background. The colored feather cloak worn by the fisherman alludes to a Japanese legend about the fisherman Hakuryo, who encounters a beautiful spirit near Mount Fuji. Startled by his humble appearance, ...

Art Historical Context

Hishikawa Sori’s “The fisherman Hakuryo and Mount Fuji,” created between 1770 and 1820 during Japan’s Edo period, captures a quiet moment steeped in legend. Working in the ukiyo-e tradition, Sori often depicted both classical literary themes and everyday figures with empathy. Here, a humble fisherman stands in strict profile, his form outlined against the sacred silhouette of Mount Fuji. The colored feather cloak he wears hints at the famous tale of Hakuryo, who encounters a celestial spirit near the mountain; startled, she flees and leaves behind her feathered robe, or hagoromo—an episode later dramatized in a beloved Noh play. As a kakemono, or hanging scroll, the painting was designed for intimate viewing in a Japanese interior, inviting contemplation of both the natural landscape and human story. Sori’s broad subject matter, comparable to that of his contemporary Hokusai, expanded ukiyo-e beyond fashionable courtesans and actors to include sympathetic portrayals of ordinary people. The work’s gentle composition and cultural resonance continue to draw viewers into Japan’s rich blend of folklore, spirituality, and everyday life.