Surprise-View Fuji (Futomiru Fuji): Detatched page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 3 c. 1835 - 1847

Curator: This is Hokusai's *Surprise-View Fuji*, a detached page from his *One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji*. Note the dimensions: a mere 22.8 by 14.3 centimeters of paper. Editor: It’s striking how such a small space captures that feeling of stumbling upon something grand. I’m really drawn to those textures, too – the rough stone wall versus the smooth curve of the mountain. Curator: Hokusai was deeply engaged with the cultural significance of Fuji, and its representation in popular imagery. He played with perspective, and the role of the viewer, didn't he? Editor: Absolutely. And think about the woodblock process itself. The labor, the carving, the multiple impressions – it's all part of shaping this iconic image and its accessibility. Curator: Yes, Hokusai's work democratized art, making it available beyond elite circles, shaping a national symbol through mass production. Editor: Considering the layers of process, I wonder if that democratization impacted the visual economy more than previously considered. Curator: Indeed! Food for thought. Editor: This was a fruitful discussion.