36 Views of Mount Fuji, Sunset across the Ryogoku bridge, Katsushika Hokusai, Japanese Print

This particular painting is the twelfth view in his most famous work, the woodblock colour print collection entitled "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fiji". Hosukai only started this collection at the age of 70 and worked on it until his death aged 88; the most famous view is that of "The Great Wave off Kanagawa".

"Sunset across the Ryogoku bridge from the bank of the Sumida River" contrasts vivid blue waves against a pale blue river with a deep blue Mount Fiji providing a focal point against the pale sky. A boat of passengers looks out towards the bridge. It is thought that the introduction of Prussian blue synthetic dye was a strong influence on this collection of Mount Fiji views.

During the period of Tago Bay near Ejiri on the Tōkaidō's publication, views of Fuji had become an important trope for Japan's artists and the popular cultural imagination. Fuji was heralded as a symbol of national heritage, timelessness and tradition. In Japanese folk culture, Fuji has continually influenced writers and artists for its association with spiritual ritual, religion and the immortality of "the Gods" and deities that are said to have reside there.

Katsushika Hokusai was a Japanese artist, ukiyo-e painter and printmaker of the Edo period. Born in Edo (now Tokyo), Hokusai is best known as author of the woodblock print series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (富嶽三十六景 Fugaku Sanjūroku-kei, c. 1831) which includes the internationally iconic print, The Great Wave off Kanagawa.

Hokusai created the "Thirty-Six Views" both as a response to a domestic travel boom and as part of a personal obsession with Mount Fuji. It was this series, specifically The Great Wave print and Fine Wind, Clear Morning, that secured Hokusai’s fame both in Japan and overseas. As historian Richard Lane concludes, "Indeed, if there is one work that made Hokusai's name, both in Japan and abroad, it must be this monumental print-series". While Hokusai's work prior to this series is certainly important, it was not until this series that he gained broad recognition.

All prints are made using archival art stocks and UV pigment inks to give up to 200 years life. Choose from unframed, framed and mounted and canvas panel options.