Fuji in the Mountains (SanchÅ« no Fuji): Detached page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 1 Possibly 1834 - 1835

Curator: Katsushika Hokusai, born in 1760, created this woodblock print titled "Fuji in the Mountains" as part of his "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji" series. Editor: My first impression is a feeling of humble perseverance—the small figures against that monumental peak! Curator: Right, Fuji is a powerful national symbol, often representing ambition and the divine, but Hokusai frequently grounded it within the lives of ordinary people. Editor: And look at the repetition of forms; the curved lines of the path, the people, and even the distant mountain echo each other. It suggests continuity, a sort of eternal return. Curator: I think that's key. Consider the woodblock print medium itself, accessible to a wide audience. Hokusai democratized the symbolic power of Fuji. It's not just for the elite. Editor: Yes, the mountain becomes accessible through the very act of its representation. It's like Hokusai is saying, "This symbol belongs to everyone." Fascinating. Curator: It's a testament to art's ability to challenge and redefine cultural narratives. Editor: Indeed. It makes you want to start your own ascent, doesn't it?