Fukagawa Mannen Bashi Shita 

Katsushika Hokusai created "Fukagawa Mannen Bashi Shita," a woodblock print, capturing a scene from Edo-period Japan. It reflects the era’s emphasis on landscape as a mirror for social harmony and spiritual reflection. Hokusai’s vantage point, looking up at the bridge, invites us to consider our position in society. What does it mean to be among the common people who cross the bridge daily, as opposed to viewing life from a distance? The bridge itself acts as both connection and division, physically linking communities while socially stratifying them. As Hokusai once said, "To paint a corner of nature, one must live in it.” In this work the inclusion of Mount Fuji in the distance is not just picturesque; it represents stability and permanence, a silent witness to the ebb and flow of human life. Hokusai challenges traditional representations by integrating everyday life with iconic symbols, reflecting a society in flux and inviting viewers to contemplate their place within the larger world. Through this piece, Hokusai compels us to consider our relationship to community, nature, and history.