Artwork
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)

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) 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
This woodblock print, 'Tama River in Musashi Province,' is part of Katsushika Hokusai's 'Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji' series, created around 1831. It is a notable example of Japanese ukiyo-e art.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene scene: a small boat on the calm Tama River, with Mount Fuji rising majestically in the background. The contrast between the boat's smallness and the mountain's grandeur evokes a sense of tranquility and isolation.
Technique & Style
Hokusai employed simple colors and clean lines to achieve a balanced composition. The gentle waves on the water are suggested by subtle lines, demonstrating the artist's skill in conveying movement and depth through minimalist means.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katsushika Hokusai spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he drew and carved prints for a living.
















