Sunrise (the Sea) 

Fujishima Takeji painted “Sunrise (the Sea)” using traditional oil paints on canvas. Takeji built up the image through visible strokes. Look at how he manipulated the viscosity of the paint, adding layers and glazes, to capture the sky's luminous glow. The textured surface reflects the artist's gestures, each brushstroke carrying intention. Although these are traditional art materials, the painting represents the globalized art world of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where artists like Takeji synthesized the western painting tradition and their own national heritage. His thick application of paint is reminiscent of the Impressionists. What makes “Sunrise (the Sea)” so compelling is the visible labor of painting itself. Takeji's embrace of the material qualities of oil paint reminds us that art is not just about the final image but also about the act of creation, breaking down distinctions between fine art and craft.