Mt. Fuji 1976

Okumura Togyu made this painting, Mt. Fuji, with delicate washes of color that softly blend into one another. I imagine him, brush in hand, letting the colors flow and mingle, allowing the mountain to emerge gradually from the mist. There's something so soothing about the muted blues and creams, it's like the whole painting is exhaling. Look how the mountain sits nestled amidst the clouds – those aren’t just clouds, they’re like soft blankets, cushioning the peak. I wonder if Togyu felt a sense of peace while painting this? Maybe he was trying to capture not just the mountain, but a feeling of serenity, a moment of quiet contemplation. Painters, you know, we're always looking, always learning from each other, echoing and riffing on what came before. Togyu's Fuji feels like a whisper across time, a conversation with other artists who’ve tried to capture the sublime in nature. And like them, it’s a reminder that painting isn't just about what we see, but about how we feel, and how we connect.