Fuji Under Clear Skies (Kasei no Fuji): Detached page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 1 Possibly 1834 - 1835

Editor: Here we have Hokusai’s "Fuji Under Clear Skies," a page from his "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji." It’s so serene, almost meditative. What significance do you see in the depiction of Mount Fuji in this work? Curator: Mount Fuji is more than just a mountain; it's a cultural touchstone, a symbol deeply woven into the fabric of Japanese identity. Notice how Hokusai renders the mountain not just as a physical form, but as an enduring presence, suggesting resilience. Editor: So it's about more than just the view itself? Curator: Precisely! It invites reflection on permanence. This piece also encapsulates a sense of national pride. Does that resonate with you? Editor: Absolutely! It's fascinating how a single image can hold so much symbolic weight. Curator: Indeed. Visual symbols often carry a history, evolving and accumulating meaning over time.