A Chinese Man Astounded at Mount Fuji c. 19th century

Editor: This woodblock print, "A Chinese Man Astounded at Mount Fuji" by Katsushika Hokuga, feels like a commentary on cultural exchange. The figure is clearly not Japanese, gazing at this iconic symbol. How do you interpret Hokuga's choice to depict a foreigner's reaction? Curator: It's fascinating, isn't it? Consider the historical context. Japan was opening up, encountering new perspectives. Hokuga may be exploring themes of orientalism, perhaps critiquing the Japanese gaze on the "other" even as he depicts the "other's" awe. Is it genuine wonder, or is there an element of exoticization? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It makes the piece feel far more complex than just a scenic view. Curator: Precisely! By placing a Chinese figure at the heart of the composition, Hokuga prompts us to question whose gaze truly defines the value and meaning of cultural icons like Mount Fuji. Editor: Thank you, seeing it that way really changes how I read the whole piece.