Fine Views of the Eastern Capital at a Glance (Tōto meisho ichiran): [volume 1] 東都名所一覧 1800

This is Volume 1 of *Fine Views of the Eastern Capital at a Glance* a woodblock print made by Katsushika Hokusai. Notice how the composition is split into two scenes, juxtaposing distinct perspectives and spatial arrangements. On the left, we see an intimate interior with figures arranged in a confined space, creating a sense of depth through overlapping forms. This contrasts with the open landscape on the right, where a lone figure navigates a vast expanse of water and land. Hokusai employs a formal technique known as Ukiyo-e. The choice of line and color are not merely representational; they are structural elements that direct the viewer's gaze and evoke specific emotional responses. Linear perspective is employed in the landscape to simulate depth, while the figures in the interior are rendered with flat, graphic lines, flattening the picture plane. This duality reflects a broader theme in Edo-period art: the tension between tradition and modernity, interiority and exteriority. Hokusai, through his manipulation of form and space, invites us to contemplate our relationship to both our immediate surroundings and the wider world.