Mt. Fuji 1816

Katsushika Hokusai made this print of Mount Fuji using woodblock printing techniques. It's a play of diagonal lines created by the mountains on either side, framing the clouds and trees. Notice how the composition is split into two panels, yet the scene flows continuously. The mountain on the left echoes the one on the right, each distinct in texture and tone. This technique reveals Hokusai’s engagement with the concept of duality, reflecting ideas found in Zen Buddhism and Daoism. The trees at the base create a visual rhythm leading the eye upwards, while the water is evoked with subtle, repeated lines. These lines are not merely descriptive; they represent the interplay of form and emptiness, a central theme in Eastern philosophy. The pale hues and textured surfaces contribute to a tranquil viewing experience, inviting contemplation on the relationship between nature and the self. Through this, Hokusai destabilizes our perception of space, inviting us to explore the unseeable.