Mount Fuji c. 19th century

This 19th-century calligraphic work by Yamanaka Shinten'ō depicts Mount Fuji in flowing black ink on a beige background. The artist’s bold strokes, evocative of the mountain’s majestic form, are characteristic of his style, known as “bokuseki” or “inkstone style.” Mount Fuji, a sacred site in Japanese culture, was a popular subject for calligraphers and painters. This work from the Minneapolis Institute of Art is an example of how Japanese art seamlessly blends natural imagery with artistic expression.