Part of the Same (Sono ni) [Appearance of Hōeizan (Hōeizan shutsugen)]: Detached page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 1 Possibly 1834 - 1835

Curator: Katsushika Hokusai, the celebrated ukiyo-e artist, is believed to have created this image, "Part of the Same (Sono ni) [Appearance of Hōeizan (Hōeizan shutsugen)]," a detached page from his "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji." Editor: I’m struck by the humble scale of the figures against the mountain. They appear to be traveling, weighed down by burdens, yet captivated by the sight. Curator: The woodblock print technique itself is vital. Hokusai democratized art, making these images accessible to a broad public, shaping perceptions of Mount Fuji as a symbol. Editor: Precisely. Mount Fuji looms large, a constant presence. But it’s also a spiritual symbol, a connection to the divine, and the traveler pointing towards the mountain acts as a conductor of that energy, connecting the viewer to the sacred symbol. Curator: I agree. Its enduring presence in Japanese art underscores its cultural and political potency—an anchor in times of change. Editor: Absolutely, and Hokusai captures both its physical grandeur and its deeply symbolic meaning. Makes you feel quite small.