Artwork

諸國瀧廻東都葵ヶ岡の瀧|The Falls at Aoigaoka in the Eastern Capital (Tōto Aoigaoka no taki), from the series A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces (Shokoku taki meguri)

諸國瀧廻東都葵ヶ岡の瀧|The Falls at Aoigaoka in the Eastern Capital (Tōto Aoigaoka no taki), from the series A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces (Shokoku taki meguri) is an ink print by the Japonisme artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1804 by the Japanese printmaker Katsushika Hokusai, this woodblock print depicts a waterfall scene at Aoigaoka, a locale in the eastern capital. It forms part of Hokusai’s series documenting waterfalls across the provinces, and is presently in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition gathers villagers in modest attire around the cascade, some standing on a stone path, others near a modest tiled-roof house. A solitary tree clings to a rocky outcrop above the falling water, while the river below gathers the spray, suggesting both the everyday life and natural vigor of the site.

Technique & Style

Hokusai employs ink line work to render the tree’s bark and the mist of the falls, while muted yet vivid pigments fill the sky, water, and foliage. The subtle gradations of blue and green are achieved through layered color blocks, and cross‑hatching adds depth to the rocky terrain.

History & Provenance

The print was issued as a sheet from the series Shokoku taki meguri, which toured notable waterfalls throughout Japan. After its original circulation in the early nineteenth century, the work entered the holdings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s Japanese prints collection.

Context

Produced during the Edo period, the image reflects the era’s fascination with travel and landscape, aligning with the broader ukiyo‑e tradition of depicting popular sites. Hokusai’s interest in water’s dynamic forms is evident, linking this work to his later studies of waves and currents.