Fuji 1900 - 1910

Ogata Gekko made this woodblock print of Fuji, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The way Gekko uses colour and line is so fascinating – it's like he's creating a dreamscape rather than a literal depiction. I love how the water in the foreground is rendered with these really deliberate, almost mechanical lines, giving it a tangible texture. Then your eye moves up to the mountain, where the lines become softer, more suggestive, like it’s dissolving into the sky. I’m drawn to the subtle gradations in the sky, those gentle shifts from yellow to cream, that give the print such a serene, contemplative vibe. It’s a testament to the power of suggestion, how much an artist can convey with so little. The print reminds me a little of Hiroshige, but Gekko’s got his own thing going on. He’s not just copying nature, he’s interpreting it, turning it into something deeply personal. To me, this piece is all about the art of seeing, and how an artist can transform the world through their unique vision.