冨嶽三十六景　常州牛掘|Ushibori in Hitachi Province (Jōshū Ushibori), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)

Art Historical Context

Behold *Ushibori in Hitachi Province (ōshū Ushibori)*, a captivating woodblock print from Katsushika Hokusai's groundbreaking series *Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)*, created 1830–32 during Japan's Edo period. Hokus, a master of ukiyo-e—thepictures of the floating worldrevolutionized landscape art by depicting the majestic Mount Fuji from 36 diverse vantage points across Japan. In this scene, the snow-capped peak looms dramatically in the distance, dwarfing tiny boats and human figures navigating the waters of Ushibori in Hitachi Province, evoking the sublime power of nature amid everyday life. Printed with vibrant inks and colors on paper using the intricate woodblock technique—where carved blocks were inked and layered for rich hues—this vertical-format ōban print (about 10 x 14 inches) exemplifies Hokusai's innovative use of bold composition and atmospheric perspective. The series, produced in large quantities for an eager public, democratized art, blending realism with poetic grandeur and influencing global aesthetics, from Impressionism to modern design. Part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's H. O. Havemeyer Collection, this treasure invites you to ponder humanity's harmony with the enduring Fuji, a sacred symbol of Japan. Hokusai, who lived to 90 and changed his name six times, once quipped he was only beginning to grasp art at 70—timeless inspiration indeed!

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...