Page 197 - Edo: Art in Japan, 1615–1868

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Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) Kosode with design of Rice Cultivation
Mountains of Tôtômi Prouince, Kajikazawa in Kai Prouince, in the Four Seasons
from Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji from Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji
Early nineteenth century
c. 1830-1832 c. 1830-1832 Paste-resist dye on figured silk satin
7
7
Color woodblock print Color woodblock print 167.2 x 124 (65 /s x 48 /s)
Approx. 26 x 38 (ioV4 x 15) Approx. 26 x 38 (ioV4 x 15) Tokyo National Museum
Tokyo National Museum Tokyo National Museum
Illustrated page 171
• Hokusai structured this composi- • In this masterly print Katsushika • This kosode illustrates the phases
tion around three interconnected Hokusai creates an image of contrast
I 96 triangles, one created by the angled and cooperation between human and of rice cultivation against a brown
timber, and two smaller ones by the nature. The print is composed of two silk ground figured with boxes for the
shell game and shells. Although the
supports. In the distance one sees the large triangles: above is Mount Fuji, design is visually effective, the subject
triangular form of Mount Fuji. The a fixed object, and below, at the apex is not presented in any coherent
horizontal curves of the foreground of the second, stands a fisherman,
order. The earth is prepared for tilling
landscape and the wafting clouds an ephemeral being, teetering pre- on the front right of the skirt, wet
soften the hard edges of the geomet- cariously on the tip of a rock. The man fields are plowed at the center back,
ric constructions. extends several lines into the waves,
presumably around his cormorants' and seed is thrown into a flooded
Lumber merchants were among the necks as he waits for the birds to paddy above the plowing scene.
most prosperous workers in the bring him their fish. This image res- Workers water the paddies with
Edo period because wood and paper onates with the Buddhist idea of the an Archimedes' screw at the bottom
houses had to be replaced after impermanence of all things: what left front and with buckets at the
frequent urban fires. Here Hokusai appears to be an immobile mass, the lower right back. These scenes bracket
shows laborers in the forest who pro- mountain, is a dormant volcano. views of weeding the ripening rice
vided materials to these merchants. in summer to early fall, which spread
Hokusai and other landscape artists In Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, along the bottom center of the back.
might have been aided by optical Hokusai's most acclaimed series of Out of order at the center left of the
instruments such as monoculars in prints, the artist distilled all his com- back is rice seedling transplantation,
identifying unusual points of view positional and narrative genius (see which takes place in late spring.
like this one. also cats. 169,171 -176). He showed Harvesting, threshing, and milling
the most famous landmark of Japan scenes range up the left front panel.
Early states of the print have blue during every season, under many
outlines and details and show green atmospheric conditions, and with Rice scenes had long been popular in
in the foliage and the workers' cos- myriad scenic variations. He also Japanese art as signifiers of specific
tumes. A gray block was used for evoked the reaction of the landscape's times of year. In the early modern era
Mount Fuji, the saws, smoke, and inhabitants to this monumental rice was used for samurai stipends
other clothing details. This simple landform. and formed the basis of the economy.
coloration is a step removed from With an increasing living standard, a
the pure blue printing (aizurie) of The set comprises forty-six prints: greater percentage of the population
some works in the series. In this the original thirty-six, whose early could use rice as their primary source
print Hokusai accomplishes a great impressions had a Prussian blue out- of food. As such, the farmer and rice
deal with a very limited palette. HG line, followed by ten supplemental cultivation became artistic symbols
prints with a black outline. HG for economic prosperity, peace, and
stability as well as for the simple
rural life. HG