The lake of Hakone in the Segami province 

"The Lake of Hakone in the Sagami Province" was created by Katsushika Hokusai, using woodblock printing techniques. The composition unfolds as a layered landscape, where flat planes of colour and stylized forms define the scene. Notice the interplay between the blue of the lake and the sky, bisected by the pinkish-beige bands which form the shore. This creates a sense of depth while simultaneously flattening the image. Consider how the shapes of the trees, the mountain, and even Mount Fuji in the distance, are rendered with an economy of line and form. This approach reflects an interest in simplifying natural forms to their essential components. Hokusai masterfully employs colour and line to explore how we perceive space. Rather than adhering to Western conventions of perspective, he offers a more conceptual and stylized interpretation of the landscape. This piece invites us to question fixed perspectives and appreciate the fluidity of representation.