Fuji from a Cave (DōchÅ« no Fuji): Detached page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 1 Possibly 1834 - 1835

Curator: Hokusai's "Fuji from a Cave," is part of his celebrated "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji." I’m struck by the almost claustrophobic framing. Editor: Yes, it's quite unusual. There's this immediate contrast between the confined space of the cave and the expansive view of the mountain beyond. Look at the woodblock printing technique; the stark black lines define every element. Curator: Absolutely. The visible labor here – the woodcut marks, the figures resting with their tools – situates the sacred mountain within the context of everyday life and the economics of resource extraction. Editor: The composition directs our gaze upwards. The lines converge, almost forcing us to appreciate the mountain's iconic form juxtaposed against the flight of birds. It's simple, yet so effective. Curator: For me, it’s about how Hokusai highlights the relationship between labor and landscape. Editor: I think that, formally, it is a powerful visual arrangement that captures a sense of awe. Curator: It offers a compelling view of human endeavor. Editor: And I think it's a testament to Hokusai’s mastery.