Fuji in a Dream (Yume no Fuji): Half of detatched page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 2 Possibly 1835 - 1836

Editor: This is "Fuji in a Dream" by Hokusai, from his "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji" series. It's a woodblock print, and it's so striking how close we are to this bird of prey. It feels almost confrontational. What do you see in this piece? Curator: For me, it's about the tension between the intimate and the iconic. Hokusai gives us this incredibly detailed study of the bird, but the title hints at something grander. Is this bird a stand-in for Mount Fuji itself, a symbol of power and resilience glimpsed in a dream? What do you think? Editor: That's interesting! The bird could be a symbol, like a dream *of* the mountain. It's more than just a bird. Curator: Exactly! The dream aspect gives it an extra layer of mystery. It's like Hokusai's saying, "Here's a mountain – or maybe it's just a bird, or maybe it's something else entirely.” Editor: I never thought about it that way! It makes you wonder about what other secrets are hidden in his art. Curator: It's a constant invitation to re-imagine the familiar, isn't it?