Appearance of Hōeizan (Hōeizan shutsugen): Detached page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 1 Possibly 1834 - 1835

Curator: Chaos! Total chaos is my first impression. Bodies flying, buildings collapsing...it's overwhelming. Editor: Indeed. We're looking at "Appearance of Hōeizan," a page from Hokusai's "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji." The woodblock print depicts a scene of complete destruction. Curator: But what's the historical context? Was this a real event? Editor: It likely represents an earthquake, perhaps referencing the frequent seismic activity of the era and the resulting social anxieties. The complete devastation equally represents the power of both nature and art, no? Curator: I see. So, Mount Fuji becomes less about picturesque beauty and more about the raw power of the Earth, challenging idealized views of nature. Editor: Exactly. This print speaks to the vulnerabilities of communities and the precariousness of life itself, rendered with Hokusai's signature dramatic flair. Curator: I now appreciate Hokusai's work. Editor: This artwork is much more than just a landscape.