Fuji vanaf de Katakura theeplantage in de provincie Suruga 1831 - 1835

This woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai depicts Mount Fuji as seen from the Katakura tea plantation in Suruga Province. Hokusai made this print as part of his series "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," likely in the late 1820s or early 1830s. The image offers a glimpse into the commercial life of Japan at the time, showing laborers transporting tea leaves. In the top left corner, figures gather, distinguishable by the shape of the parasols they carry. This attention to the commercial activity reflects the rising merchant class and the increasing urbanization of Japan during the Edo period. The inclusion of Mount Fuji underscores its iconic status, but here it is presented as a backdrop to the working lives of ordinary people. To fully appreciate Hokusai's work, one can delve into the history of woodblock printing in Japan, its patronage, and how artists like Hokusai navigated the cultural landscape to reflect the society around them.