Fuji in the Distance from Shimotsuke Province (YashÅ« enkei no Fuji): Half of detatched page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 3 c. 1835 - 1847

Editor: This is "Fuji in the Distance from Shimotsuke Province" by Hokusai, a woodblock print. It feels very stark, almost monochromatic, with these travelers ascending a snowy path. What can you tell me about the cultural significance of Mount Fuji in Japanese art? Curator: Mount Fuji wasn't just a mountain; it was a symbol of national identity, a sacred site, and a source of artistic inspiration. Hokusai, in depicting these pilgrims, taps into the widespread cultural practice of pilgrimage and the socio-political landscape that enabled such journeys. Editor: Pilgrimage as a popular cultural movement, I see. Curator: Exactly. The print also reflects the rising popularity of landscape prints as accessible art forms for a growing urban audience, catering to their desires for connection with nature and tradition. How do you think this piece functions as part of a larger series? Editor: I see it as a microcosm of Japanese society at the time. Thanks, that gives me a fresh perspective! Curator: Indeed, it’s a visual window into the social fabric of 19th-century Japan.