Fuji on the Face of a Paddy (Tanomo no Fuji): Detached page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 1 Possibly 1834 - 1835

Editor: Here's a woodblock print from Hokusai's "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji," showing geese near a paddy field. It's striking how he suggests the mountain's reflection. What cultural memories do you think Hokusai is playing with here? Curator: The paddy field acts as a mirror, reflecting not just the mountain, but also a deeper cultural reverence for nature. Notice how the geese, symbols of marital fidelity and vigilance in East Asian art, direct our gaze upward. Does that upward movement suggest a longing for enlightenment or harmony with the cosmos? Editor: That's fascinating. So, the geese aren't just birds, they're guiding us towards a specific kind of understanding? Curator: Precisely. Hokusai uses familiar symbols to evoke a sense of place and cultural identity, drawing on centuries of symbolic language. It’s a layering of meaning that invites contemplation. Editor: I see how the symbolic weight adds layers to the simple landscape. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure, this image has given me much to think about as well!