Fuji at Aoyama (Aoyama no Fuji): Detatched page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 3 c. 1835 - 1847

Editor: This is Hokusai's "Fuji at Aoyama," a woodblock print from his "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji" series. The umbrellas create a really interesting foreground, almost obscuring the mountain itself. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: The umbrellas aren't just aesthetic. They represent a specific type of economic activity. Note the bundled umbrellas - these are for sale! Woodblock printing itself democratized art production. How do you think this print reflects the commerce happening within the scene? Editor: So, it's not just about nature but also about the materials and processes of selling them? That makes me rethink the whole image. Curator: Exactly! It’s a fascinating intersection of landscape, labor, and the consumption of goods. Editor: I hadn't considered the commercial aspect so directly, I see a new layer to Hokusai's work now.