Fuji and Ascending Dragon (TōryÅ« no Fuji): Half of detatched page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 2 Possibly 1835 - 1836

Editor: This is "Fuji and Ascending Dragon" by Hokusai, a woodblock print from his "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji." I'm struck by the contrast between the swirling clouds and the powerful dragon. What can you tell me about its historical significance? Curator: Well, consider the rise of print culture in Japan. Hokusai’s work democratized art, making iconic imagery, like that of dragons symbolizing power and good fortune, accessible to a wider public. How do you think this accessibility influenced the perception of both Mount Fuji and dragon mythology? Editor: That’s fascinating. It reframes the image, moving it from just art to a wider cultural phenomenon. Thanks! Curator: Indeed! And it reveals how artists like Hokusai shaped, and were shaped by, their society.