Fuji from Susaki (Susaki no Fuji): Half of detatched page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 2 Possibly 1835 - 1836

Curator: This is Hokusai's "Fuji from Susaki," a woodblock print from his "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji." Doesn't it evoke such a sense of calm despite its dynamic composition? Editor: The immediate thing that strikes me is the contrast in textures. The regimented, repeating pattern of the roof tiles in the foreground, compared with the implied movement of the water and birds. It's like industry versus nature. Curator: Absolutely! And it's a bit cheeky, isn't it? Framing sacred Fuji with the very ordinary, everyday life. It transforms something mundane into something sublime. Editor: Well, woodblock printing was a fairly democratic art form; it made images affordable and accessible. The labor of carving and printing allowed for the widespread distribution of these views, blurring the lines between high art and commodity. Curator: I never thought about it that way, but it makes total sense. Thanks to the work involved, many people got to see it. A lovely bit of accessible sublimity. Editor: Exactly! It’s fascinating to consider the social context of its production and consumption.