Mount Fuji 1800 - 1833

Yokoi Kinkoku painted this image of Mount Fuji with ink and color on paper, sometime before his death in 1832. Look closely and you’ll see that the ink hasn’t just been applied in a straightforward way. It's been modulated to create textures, giving an atmospheric quality. The artist has used the material properties of ink wash to create the effect of mist. Diluting the ink with water allows for subtle gradations of tone, something that would be difficult to achieve with other media. Notice how the mountain itself emerges ghostlike from the background. The soft brushstrokes create a sense of tranquility and harmony. This work exemplifies the integration of craft and fine art. It's not just the skill that Kinkoku brings to bear, but also his deep understanding of how to work with the qualities of ink and paper. By emphasizing the materiality of his medium, Kinkoku elevates what might otherwise be seen as a simple landscape into a profound meditation on nature.