Katsushika Hokusai’s Ukiyo-e I will explain In the Mountains of Totomi Province in Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.
This Ukiyo-e Totomi is located in the mountains in what is now western Shizuoka Prefecture.
Even though it is in the mountains, there are no big trees. In the mountains of Japan, there should be a lot of cedars and miscellaneous trees, but it is a strange sight.
Huge timbers are erected more than twice the height of a person, two woodworkers using special large-toothed saws, one climbing onto the timbers and carefully cutting the cuts from above.
Another has a cut from the bottom.
The composition of this ukiyo-e print consists of three triangles: scaffolding, scaffolding and lumber, and Mt. Fuji seen from the scaffolding is also a triangle.
A woman carrying a baby on her back brought a package containing a bento.
A baby on her mother’s back stares intently at the timber directly above.
While the craftsmen are working, the children are making a bonfire.
The smoke is linked with the clouds surrounding Mt.Fuji and stretches diagonally to the timbers in a well-balanced manner.
Also, in the technique of ukiyo-e, the smoke is carved with fine lines, and gradation is also used to create an elaborate expression.
In the front left of the screen, another man is sharpening a saw.
A woman carrying a child on her back is talking to the man.
This ukiyo-e is from around 1830 to 1832. Hokusai is around 72 years old.
