Artwork
冨嶽三十六景 上総の海路|At Sea off Kazusa (Kazusa no kairo), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 上総の海路|At Sea off Kazusa (Kazusa no kairo), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei) is an ink print by the Japonisme artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1831 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
At Sea off Kazusa is a woodblock print from Katsushika Hokusai's series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, circa 1831. The work depicts a cargo boat on calm waters, with Mount Fuji faintly visible in the distance. Held in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, it showcases Hokusai's representation of everyday life alongside Japan's iconic landmark.
Subject & Meaning
The print focuses on a sturdy, slow-moving cargo vessel, emphasizing its utility for trade over speed. Figures on board and stacked goods highlight human activity, while the distant, serene presence of Mount Fuji contrasts the mundane with the sublime, reflecting Hokusai's balance of the ordinary and the iconic in Japanese life.
Technique & Style
Characterized by Hokusai's ukiyo-e style, the print features bold lines, flat colors, and a composition that blends the dynamic (crisscrossing ropes, loaded cargo) with the serene (calm sea, pale sky). The minimalist sky and focal emphasis on the boat and mountain exemplify Hokusai's mastery of simplicity and depth.
History & Provenance
Created around 1831 for the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series, At Sea off Kazusa is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.
Context
This work reflects 19th-century Japanese trade and daily life, set against the constant presence of Mount Fuji. It invites comparison with global maritime traditions, highlighting cultural differences in shipbuilding for cargo and travel.
Legacy
As part of Hokusai's influential series, At Sea off Kazusa contributes to the global recognition of ukiyo-e, inspiring Western artists and continuing to educate viewers about Japanese culture and the intersection of the mundane with the natural sublime.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katsushika Hokusai spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he drew and carved prints for a living.
冨嶽三十六景 上総の海路|At Sea off Kazusa (Kazusa no kairo), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 東海道江尻田子の浦略図|Tago Bay near Ejiri on the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō Ejiri Tago no ura ryaku zu), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 東海道江尻田子の浦略図|Tago Bay near Ejiri on the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō Ejiri Tago no ura ryaku zu), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 東海道金谷の不二|Fuji Seen from Kanaya on the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō Kanaya no Fuji), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 常州牛掘|Ushibori in Hitachi Province (Jōshū Ushibori), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 武州玉川|Tama River in Musashi Province (Bushū Tamagawa), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)