Fuji in the Distance from Shimotsuke Province (YashÅ« enkei no Fuji): Half of detatched page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 3 c. 1835 - 1847

Editor: Here we have Hokusai's "Fuji in the Distance from Shimotsuke Province," part of his "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji" series. I'm struck by how the small figures seem dwarfed by the landscape. What do you make of this image? Curator: It's fascinating how Hokusai uses this compositional imbalance to explore the relationship between humanity and nature, and the way society influences our understanding of the natural world. Is it nature dominating, or is Hokusai showing how people have always lived on the landscape? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. It's like he's questioning our place within this grand scheme. Curator: Exactly. And think about the rise of tourism in Japan during this period and how that changed perceptions of landscapes like Mount Fuji. Editor: So, this artwork isn't just about nature, but also about how society views it? Curator: Precisely. It reflects a shifting cultural landscape. Editor: I see. I’ll definitely remember this different perspective next time I analyze an artwork.