Reflection in Lake Misaka, Kai Province (KōshÅ« Misaka suimen), from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjÅ«rokkei) c. 1831

Editor: Here we have Hokusai’s woodblock print, "Reflection in Lake Misaka, Kai Province," from his Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji series. The scene feels so serene and still, like a moment held in perfect balance. What captures your attention most about this work? Curator: It’s the way Hokusai captures the ephemeral, isn't it? He uses the reflection of Mount Fuji to create a dialogue between the real and the mirrored. It's as if he’s asking us, what is more real – the mountain itself, or our perception of it? Or perhaps, how does each shape the other? And that tiny boat, a poignant reminder of our own fleeting existence against the backdrop of nature's grandeur. Editor: That's beautiful! The idea of our perception shaping reality… I'll definitely think about that next time I'm by a lake.