Tokai Gábor szerk.: Fujiyama, A japán szépség Hokusai, Hiroshige fametszetein és fényképeken (A Magyar Nemzeti Galéria kiadványai 2005/4)

Hokusai - List of Hokusai's exhibited works

line of the cliff against which foamy waves are crashing. The viewer's attention is commanded - interchangeably - by the dynamism of violent waves and the straight lines of the net, the predacious contour of the cliff, and the softness of mist enshrouding Mount Fuji. The whole composition, however, is governed by two triangles encompassing the leitmotifs: the leaning fisherman, his net, the gentle slope of the cliff, and the mist-covered mountain. 31 Lower Meguro / Shimo-Mcguro from the series: Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji / Fugaku sanju-rokkei 23.3 x 37.5 cm signature: zen Hokusai Fitsu hitsu censor's seal: kiwame publisher's seal: Eijudo 1830's CBL J2744 In this case, Fuji seems dominated by the hills in the foreground. Apparently, it is a typical rustic scene: serene atmosphere of everyday life, farm work in the fields. And yet, a keen observer is bound to find a foreboding of greater excitement: hunting with falcons, held by wanderers on the right-hand side of the picture. 32 The Shore at Tago near Ejiri on the Tokaido. Abridged View / Tokaido Ejiri Tago-no-ura ryakuzu from the series: Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji / Fugaku sanju-rokkei 25.8 x 37.8 cm signature: zen Hokusai Fitsu hitsu publisher: Nishimura-ya Yohachi (Eijudo) 1823-1829 CBL J2747 The picture in this woodblock plate is framed in a photographic manner - a fragment of reality. Hokusai selected such a place to look at Mount Fuji and framed its view in such a way as to make the gently descending slopes of the mountain close off the perspective. As a result of this artistic move, the mountain seems to be embracing in its 'arms' the landscape spreading between it and us: and also to patronise it. 33 Ushibori in Hitachi Province / Joshu Ushibori from the series: Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji / Fugaku sanju-rokkei 25.5 x 36.5 cm signature: zen Hokusai litsu hitsu censor's seal: kiwame publisher's seal: Eijudo 1823-1829 CBL 12751 The most important diagonal line of the composition is a fragment of the boat which we are allowed to take a close look at. It is an inhabitable type of boat and its tenants have been immortalised during their routine mundane activities. And yet, man is surrounded by auspicious portents: the majestic Mount Fuji arises on the starboard side as two white herons glide portside. The cool azure of this scene conveys perfectly the humid atmosphere of the landscape. 34 Viewing Sunset over Ryogoku Bridge from the Ommaya Embankment [Edo] / Ommayagashi yori Ryogoku-bashi no sekiyo-o miru from the series: Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji / Fugaku sanju-rokkei 25.2 x 37.5 cm signature: zen Hokusai litsu hitsu censor's seal: kiwame publisher's seal: Eijudo 1823-1829 CBL J2750 Not all the passengers of the boat approaching the embankment are admiring the sunset. Rut all are the protagonists of this evening scene, somewhat melancholic in nature. This impression is created by the selection of colours and the gentle lines of the waves, which seem to be rocking the boat rhythmically. 35 Surugadai in Edo / Toto Sundai from the series: Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji / Fugaku sanju-rokkei 25.2 x 37.3 cm signature: Hokusai zen Fitsu hitsu publisher: Nishimura-ya Yohachi (Eijudo) 1823-1829 CBL J2748 Wanderers, porters (palanquin bearers), hasting people, winding paths and the rich green of trees with sharp boughs - all these create an impression that the world shown on the left-hand side of the picture is full of life, but also restless, turbulent. Looking into the depth of the picture, the scene calms down slowly and all that is seen in the distance, over the snow-covered summit of Mount Fuji, is a clear, calm sky. 36 In the Totomi Mountains / Totomi sanchu from the series: Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji / Fugaku sanju-rokkei 25.1 x 37.5 cm signature: zen Hokusai Fitsu hitsu censor's seal: kiwame publisher's seal: Eijudo 1823-1829 CBL J2752 Hokusai selected his vantage points to view Mount Fuji in a very peculiar way. Sometimes, the mountain dominates over the landscape, but on other occasions it is brought down to the lower sections of the picture. Mingling with people who are busy cutting down trees and processing wood, Hokusai notices the silhouette of the mountain between mounds supporting a log. In this framed image, it is the people and their work that seem to be dominant.