Fuji Concluded in One Stroke (Taibi ippitsu no Fuji): Detatched page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 3 c. 1835 - 1847

Curator: This detached page comes from Volume 3 of Katsushika Hokusai’s “One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji,” and is titled “Fuji Concluded in One Stroke.” Editor: It looks so peaceful, almost meditative. That stark black line that forms the mountain really draws your eye. Curator: Hokusai was deeply interested in the cultural symbolism of Mount Fuji as a sacred site, a symbol of Japan itself. This series allowed him to explore its imagery in diverse ways. Editor: And to me, the single stroke emphasizes the mountain's enduring presence. It's like a visual mantra, that simple line suggesting strength and permanence. Curator: Yes, and beyond the spiritual, these prints were also circulated widely, shaping and reflecting popular perceptions of the landscape and national identity during the Edo period. Editor: It’s incredible how much cultural weight can be carried by something as seemingly simple as a single line. Curator: Indeed, Hokusai’s Fuji transcends a mere landscape; it’s a potent symbol interwoven with Japanese history. Editor: Looking at it this way helps you see the layers of meaning beneath its simple form.