Summer Fuji in Inage-ryō (Inage-ryō natsu no Fuji): Detatched page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 3 c. 1835 - 1847

Curator: This is Hokusai's woodblock print, "Summer Fuji in Inage-ryo", a page extracted from his renowned series "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji." Editor: It's quite striking! The muted tones give it an almost dreamlike quality, despite the busy scene of daily life depicted. Curator: The composition is very intentional. Note how the strong vertical lines of the fences and structures contrast with the gentle curve of the distant Mount Fuji. Editor: And the figures carrying what appear to be bundles of reeds! It’s a snapshot of rural life, isn’t it? Hokusai always finds a way to make the ordinary feel extraordinary. Curator: Indeed. He masterfully uses perspective and detail to draw the eye through the landscape, reminding us of the mountain's ever-present gaze. Editor: There is a sense of harmony between the human activity and the natural world. The mountain might as well be a silent observer. I find this image soothing. Curator: A harmonious blend, I agree. It showcases Hokusai’s profound connection to his environment and his artistic genius.