Mount Fuji is one of Japan's most iconic landmarks. Many different people have looked onto the mountain. This art gallery is about showing the contrasting people's stories through paintings from throughout Japan's history. The art pieces are paintings and woodblock print from 1823-1940.
Mt. Fuji, Yokoyama Taikan, 1940, From the collection of: Adachi Museum of Art
The painting was created to recognize the 2,600th anniversary of the founding of Japan. Unlike many of the other paintings in my gallery this one doesn't feature any foreground elements. In fact in it uses clouds to draw the viewer's attention to the mountain. This collection of images is used to not only show the several stories but also the story of japan through one of it's iconic landmarks, Mt. Fuji.
Mount Fuji at sunset on Lake Suruga, Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika, Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi, 1878, From the collection of: Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
"Mount Fuji at Sunset on Lake Suruga" depicts a man and what appears to be his son or apprentice. It is clear that the father does not quite respect his son’s skills yet. This is shown in that the son is forced to cary the score but not participate in the hunting. This is furthered by the crease down the center of the image.
Evening scene with sail boats and Mount Fuji, Artist: Ohara Koson, 1900s, From the collection of: Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
This painting features a sailboat returning home to the town. It tells the story of likely a hard working fisherman or merchant returning home from a long day’s work to relax at home. The scale of the mountain makes you image the hundreds of similar towns and hardworking fishermen returning to their homes.
100 Views of Mt. Fuji, Artist: Ogata Gekko, ca. 1904, From the collection of: Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
This art piece depicts throw workers on a farm. The colors are very desaturated letting the yellow paper come through. This gives a very gloomy feeling to the painting. Mountain Fuji is also very far away and faded. In many other paintings Mt. Fuji has symbolized hope. This could be trying to say that the workers are starting loose their hope of a better life.
Boy Viewing Mount Fuji, Artist: Katsushika Hokusai, 1839, From the collection of: Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
Boy Viewing Moint Fuji depicts a feeling of solitude and refection. The boy is playing a flute. The scale of the mountain next to the boy is used to further this feeling.
Thirty-six views of Mt.Fuji“SUNEN-OIGAWA”, Hirosige Utagawa, Meiji period , From the collection of: Shimada City Museum
This painting depicts two very different groups of people. On the rafts are likely the rich or royalty who relax. Meanwhile the poor servants struggle in the river. This is shown in the painting’s composition. The Mountain and the raft are places in opposite corners making the painting unbalanced much like the situation depicted.
Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji: The Great Wave Off the Coast of Kanagawa, Katsushika Hokusai, Edo period, 19th century, From the collection of: Tokyo National Museum
This painting unlike many of the other paintings of Mount Fuji depicts a very conflict story of several boats out at sea in a dangerous storm. The distant mountain shows as a beacon of hope that they will make it through the storm and return home.
Store of Mitsui in Surugacho town of Edo (from the series "Thirty-six views of Mt. Fuji"), Hokusai Katsushika, About 1831, From the collection of: Nara Prefectural Museum
This painting is also part of Katsushika’s Thirty-six views of Mt. Fuji series. It evokes a feeling of joy and celebration. The children flying kites and throwing a bag show this feeling. The light blue clear sky also furthers this notion. The painting is well balanced showing the balance in the world of the painting.
Yoshida on the Tokaido from the series Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji, Artist: Katsushika Hokusai, ca. 1823-1831, From the collection of: Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
This art piece displays several aristocrat women looking over their view of the distant Mount Fuji. The painting also features several servants hard at work. The movement of the characters seem to draw emphasis on the women in dark blue and the Mountain.
100 Views of Mt. Fuji, Artist: Ogata Gekko, ca. 1904, From the collection of: Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
This painting shows two elder men relaxing admiring the view of the mountain. The color of their blankets draws attention to the men. The second thing that the audience’s eye is drawn to is Mount Fuji. This is due to the pose of the elder men. This image likely shows to retired men simply enjoying life.
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This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
