Artwork
冨嶽三十六景 東海道品川御殿山の不二|Fuji from Gotenyama at Shinagawa on the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō Shinagawa Gotenyama no Fuji), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 東海道品川御殿山の不二|Fuji from Gotenyama at Shinagawa on the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō Shinagawa Gotenyama no Fuji), 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
Fuji from Gotenyama at Shinagawa on the Tōkaidō is a woodblock print from Katsushika Hokusai's renowned series, Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, dating to circa 1831. It is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene riverside scene at Shinagawa, with figures engaged in leisurely activities under bare, gracefully curved trees. Mount Fuji subtly rises in the distant background, its peak veiled by soft clouds, juxtaposing everyday life with the majestic natural landmark.
Technique & Style
Hokusai employed simple shapes, bold outlines, and a muted color palette (featuring greens, blues, and earthy tones) to achieve depth and serenity. The bare trees, a common device in Japanese prints to indicate season or mood, contrast with the vibrant yet restrained colors and the reflective waterway.
History & Provenance
Created around 1831, this work is one of the many celebrated prints from Hokusai's Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series. It is currently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Context
This print reflects the ukiyo-e tradition's emphasis on capturing landscapes and everyday life in 19th-century Japan. The contrast between the mundane scene and the distant, iconic Mount Fuji speaks to the cultural significance of the mountain.
Legacy
As part of Hokusai's influential series, Fuji from Gotenyama at Shinagawa on the Tōkaidō has contributed to the global appreciation of Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock printing, inspiring countless artists and designers with its composition and aesthetic.
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 東海道品川御殿山の不二|Fuji from Gotenyama on the Tōkaidō at Shinagawa (Tōkaidō Shinagawa Gotenyama no Fuji), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 東海道品川御殿山の不二|Fuji from Gotenyama at Shinagawa on the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō Shinagawa Gotenyama no Fuji), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 東海道保土ケ谷|Hodogaya on the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō Hodogaya), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 東都駿台|Surugadai in Edo (Tōto Sundai), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 身延川裏不二|View from the Other Side of Fuji from the Minobu River (Minobugawa ura Fuji), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 相州江の島|Enoshima in Sagami Province (Sōshū Enoshima), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 江戸日本橋|Nihonbashi in Edo (Edo Nihonbashi), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 東海道保土ケ谷|Hodogaya on the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō Hodogaya), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
冨嶽三十六景 登戸浦|Noboto Bay (Noboto no ura), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)