Fuji and Foreign Embassy (Raichō no Fuji): Half of detatched page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 3 c. 1835 - 1847

Curator: Here we see Katsushika Hokusai’s "Fuji and Foreign Embassy," a woodblock print, part of his “One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji” series. Editor: It’s surprisingly intimate, almost claustrophobic. The figures dominate, obscuring the mountain—it’s not the majestic panorama one might expect. Curator: The composition directs us to consider the evolving socio-political landscape of Japan at that time, with the foreign embassy representing increasing contact with the outside world. Editor: Yes, but look at the abstract shapes! The stark contrast of black and white creates a powerful graphic quality, while the repetition of circular forms lends a rhythmic feel. Curator: Indeed, this print functions as an artifact of shifting cultural interactions during the late Edo period, reflecting anxieties regarding the influx of foreign influence. Editor: And yet, the flat perspective, the almost whimsical rendering of the figures, creates a sense of detachment. It's both engaging and unsettling. Curator: A fascinating interplay of form and historical context, wouldn't you say? Editor: Precisely, prompting a re-evaluation of Japan's place within the world.