The Fuji seen from the gay quarter in Senju 

Katsushika Hokusai made "The Fuji seen from the gay quarter in Senju" with woodblock printing, a process known as *ukiyo-e*. This method involves carving a design into wood, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. Each color requires a separate block, demanding meticulous carving skills. Notice how this technique emphasizes line and flattened perspective, distinct from Western painting. The texture of the paper itself becomes part of the image. Interestingly, Hokusai’s printmaking was a commercial endeavor, designed for mass production and consumption. This wasn't art for the elite, but for the people. The subject matter, too, is telling: laborers are prominently featured, and the gaze drifts toward the iconic Mount Fuji, a symbol of stability amid the realities of daily life and labor. Considering its materials, making, and context allows us to challenge any rigid distinction between fine art and craft, inviting us to reflect on the socio-economic forces at play in its creation and reception.