A Diary of Travel from Edo to Nagasaki (Seiyūryōdan) 1803

Shiba Kōkan produced this page from "A Diary of Travel from Edo to Nagasaki" as a woodblock print on paper in the late eighteenth century. The composition is structured around a stark contrast between the detailed foreground and the serene, almost minimalist depiction of Mount Fuji in the background. Notice the use of line—economical yet precise—which defines the contours of the landscape, creating a sense of depth and distance. The shapes are simplified, almost geometric, lending a sense of order to the natural scene. This aesthetic reflects a broader cultural engagement with landscape as a site of philosophical contemplation. The contrast between the immediate, tangible foreground and the distant, idealized mountain engages with themes of perspective and representation, inviting reflection on how we perceive and construct our understanding of the world. The print challenges fixed notions of landscape, and encourages a fluid interpretation of space and form.