Groups of Mountain Climbers (Shojin tozan) at the Summit of Mount Fuji, from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjÅ«rokkei) c. 1831

Curator: Hokusai’s woodblock print, "Groups of Mountain Climbers at the Summit of Mount Fuji," part of his Thirty-Six Views series, depicts pilgrims ascending Japan's iconic peak. Editor: The composition strikes me immediately – it’s this relentless upward surge created by the diagonal lines of the mountain path and the procession of climbers. Curator: Indeed, consider the socio-political context: climbing Fuji was as much a spiritual act as it was a physical one, imbued with notions of devotion that intersects with ideas about national identity. Editor: And the sheer labor involved! Look at the ladder; the repetition of figures also speaks to collective effort. The printed medium made this accessible to a broader audience, democratizing the image and experience. Curator: Absolutely, and Hokusai’s focus on the common pilgrim challenges conventional representations of power. Editor: It shows that even the sacred is accessed through physical labor, a testament to the everyday experience. Curator: Reflecting on the print as a cultural artifact really illuminates the intertwined nature of devotion, labor, and identity. Editor: And focusing on the repetitive labor involved, made visible through the artist's unique craftsmanship, provides a powerful perspective.