Artwork

冨嶽三十六景山下白雨|Storm below Mount Fuji (Sanka no haku u), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)

冨嶽三十六景山下白雨|Storm below Mount Fuji (Sanka no haku u), 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

Created around 1831, this woodblock print is part of Katsushika Hokusai’s series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. It depicts a storm approaching the mountain from the lower slopes, rendered in ink and color on paper. The print is held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and exemplifies the ukiyo-e tradition of landscape printing during Japan’s Edo period.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures Mount Fuji as a silent, enduring presence amid a brewing storm. Dark clouds gather at its base, while snow still crowns its summit, contrasting the violence of the weather below with the mountain’s timeless stillness. The empty path and sparse trees suggest human insignificance before nature’s forces, a recurring theme in Hokusai’s work.

Technique & Style

Hokusai employed precise woodblock carving to achieve sharp outlines and layered color gradients. The mountain’s slopes use subtle transitions between red, brown, and white, while the sky and clouds are built with flat, bold planes. The texture of the storm is implied through rhythmic lines and minimal detail, emphasizing atmosphere over realism.

History & Provenance

Produced during the peak of Hokusai’s career, this print was part of a commercially successful series that circulated widely in Edo. The Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired its copy through established collecting channels in the early 20th century. Original impressions from this series are rare, and this example retains much of its original pigment and paper integrity.

Context

The Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji emerged as Japan opened to greater domestic tourism and print consumption. Hokusai’s focus on everyday landscapes, rather than courtly or theatrical subjects, reflected shifting cultural interests. The series also benefited from newly available Prussian blue pigment, which allowed for dramatic skies and atmospheric depth.

Legacy

This print, like others in the series, influenced Western artists in the late 19th century, particularly in its flattened perspective and emphasis on natural forms. Its compositional clarity and emotional restraint helped redefine landscape representation beyond European conventions, leaving a lasting imprint on modern art movements.