Fuji in a Winter Wind (Kogarashi no Fuji): Detached page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 1 Possibly 1834 - 1835

Editor: This is Hokusai’s “Fuji in a Winter Wind,” a woodblock print. It feels so sparse and evocative, the wind almost visible. What symbols or cultural meanings do you see in this piece? Curator: The lone figure braving the elements, with Mount Fuji as the constant backdrop, evokes themes of resilience and the enduring spirit. Notice how the bending reeds suggest the wind's force. The wind symbolizes change, both destructive and cleansing. Editor: So, it’s not just a landscape, but a visual metaphor? Curator: Precisely. Fuji itself is a symbol of permanence and sacredness, juxtaposed with the ephemeral nature of the wind and the human figure, implying our own transient existence in relation to the eternal. Editor: I never thought about it that deeply! It's fascinating how much meaning is packed into such a simple image. Curator: Indeed. Hokusai masterfully used symbols to create a profound reflection on humanity and nature.