Preface: Detatched page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 3 c. 1835 - 1847

Curator: Hokusai, born in 1760, completed "Preface: Detached page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji" during his later years, a testament to his lifelong fascination with the iconic mountain. Editor: It strikes me as surprisingly intimate, even spiritual, more like a personal meditation than a grand landscape. The scale makes it feel so immediate. Curator: Indeed, the text itself offers a key. Hokusai sees himself as a vigorous old man, still painting Mount Fuji at ninety, imbued with youthful energy. The mountain becomes a symbol of longevity and artistic persistence. Editor: The brushstrokes themselves, the dark ink on the aged paper, create such a stark contrast. The characters dance across the page, don't you think? Almost a musical quality in the arrangement. Curator: The text refers to the mountain as a source of inspiration, a stage for artistic expression. It also notes the presence of eight-sided drums, instruments with deep spiritual resonance. Editor: For me, it's the balance between the dense text and the stark white space that makes it so compelling. There's a tension, a dialogue, that keeps the eye moving. Curator: The symbols create a powerful image of artistic perseverance. It is a profound meditation on aging, art, and the enduring power of nature. Editor: I am touched by Hokusai's youthful approach. The interplay of form and symbol adds such depth.