Mount Fuji 1760s

Ike no Taiga painted Mount Fuji using ink on paper sometime in the mid-18th century. This tall, vertical scroll presents a landscape dominated by the iconic mountain. Notice the soft gradations of ink wash that define the form of Mount Fuji, contrasting with the sharper, more defined strokes used for the foreground elements. Taiga's approach emphasizes the interplay between void and solid forms. The mountain, rendered with subtle washes, seems to emerge from the mist, while the trees and rocks in the foreground are depicted with a more assertive hand. This technique, coupled with the vertical composition, invites a reading of the landscape as both a physical space and a symbolic representation of harmony and balance. The subdued palette focuses attention on the textures and tonal variations achieved through ink. Consider how these choices might engage with broader philosophical ideas about nature and perception. Ultimately, Taiga's Mount Fuji is not merely a depiction of a place, but an exploration of the aesthetic and philosophical potential of ink as a medium.