Artwork

冨嶽三十六景甲州伊沢暁|Dawn at Isawa in Kai Province (Kōshū Isawa no akatsuki), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)

冨嶽三十六景甲州伊沢暁|Dawn at Isawa in Kai Province (Kōshū Isawa no akatsuki), 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

The print is held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and exemplifies the ukiyo-e tradition of capturing everyday landscapes with quiet dignity.

Created around 1831 by Katsushika Hokusai, this woodblock print is part of the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series. Rendered in ink and color on paper, it depicts a tranquil lakeside village in Kai Province, now part of Yamanashi Prefecture. The print is held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and exemplifies the ukiyo-e tradition of capturing everyday landscapes with quiet dignity.

Subject & Meaning

The scene portrays a modest settlement at dawn, with residents beginning their day along narrow paths and horses resting near thatched dwellings. Mount Fuji, distant but dominant, rises above the water, its snow-covered peak anchoring the composition. The mountain’s presence suggests spiritual or natural permanence, contrasting with the humble, transient life of the village below.

Technique & Style

Hokusai employed fine, precise lines to define rooftops, trees, and figures, while soft washes of green, blue, and earth tones create a muted, early-morning atmosphere. The use of layered printing techniques allowed subtle gradations in color and texture. Cross-hatching and minimal detail in the foreground enhance depth, drawing attention to the mountain’s scale without overwhelming the scene.

History & Provenance

Produced during the peak of Hokusai’s career, this print was part of a commercially successful series that helped popularize landscape prints in Edo-period Japan. The Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired the work through established collecting channels in the early 20th century, preserving it as a representative example of Japanese printmaking from the 1830s.

Context

The Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series emerged during a time of growing interest in travel and regional identity in Japan. While Mount Fuji was a sacred symbol, Hokusai focused on ordinary people interacting with the landscape. This print reflects a shift in ukiyo-e from theatrical subjects to serene, contemplative scenes of daily life and nature.

Legacy

Hokusai’s approach to landscape, emphasizing scale and quiet observation, influenced later Japanese and Western artists. The series helped redefine printmaking as a medium for poetic realism rather than mere illustration. Today, prints like this one remain key references in studies of 19th-century visual culture and the global reception of Japanese art.