Who painted Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: Surugadai in Edo, and when?

Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: Surugadai in Edo is by Katsushika Hokusai, made in c. 1830-33 (Tenpo 1-4). Medium: Woodblock print (ukiyo-e).

Where can I see Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: Surugadai in Edo?

It is held by Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, Edo-Tokyo Museum. Exhibitions change, so check each museum's information before you visit.

Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji ・ 5

Surugadai in Edo

冨嶽三十六景東都駿台

Samurai, peddlers, and pilgrims each walk with their own gait along the slope descending to the Kanda River. A small, white Fuji peeps out through a gap between trees and a large roof, in a view of an Edo slope in fresh green.

Artist: Katsushika Hokusai
Date: c. 1830-33 (Tenpo 1-4)
Medium / format: Woodblock print (ukiyo-e)
Series: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji 46 prints
Place depicted: Surugadai（Tokyo）
Seen in the distance: Mount Fuji

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About this work

Two slopes overlap in the picture, with many people going up and down. Peddlers carrying loads, pilgrims in broad hats, and samurai with attendants differ in dress and movement. The different directions and paces of the people give variety to the scene at the top of the slope. Steps are cut into the foreground slope, showing how steep the descent is. One person even shades his eyes with a fan against the sun.

The trees and grass on the bank are printed in three vivid shades of green, suggesting the season of fresh leaves. The blue of the Kanda River flowing below harmonizes with that green. Fuji is seen small through an opening between a large roof at right and the trees.

"Sundai" in the title is Surugadai. According to the Chiyoda Ward account of the district's name, this was originally "Kanda-yama," continuing from the Hongo and Yushima plateau and cut off by the digging of the Kanda River. After the death of Tokugawa Ieyasu, bannermen returning from Sunpu built residences on this height with its view of Fuji, which gave the district its name. The position of the slope depicted is not clear, and the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum sees it as a view of Fuji over Surugadai from a slope near Suidobashi on the opposite bank.

The place today

Kanda Surugadai remains a district name in Chiyoda Ward, facing Yushima in Bunkyo Ward across the Kanda River valley. Ochanomizu Bridge and Hijiri Bridge, which span the valley, are designated Important Landscape Properties by Chiyoda Ward.

Where can I see it?

Exhibitions change over time. Check each museum's exhibition information before you visit.

Museums that hold this work

Tokyo National Museum
Taito City, Tokyo　Accession no. A-11177
From the set of 34 sheets of Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji
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Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
Hachioji
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Edo-Tokyo Museum
Sumida City, Tokyo　Accession no. 92202747
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Museums that hold this series (please check the museum's website for whether it holds this print)

Yamanashi Prefectural Museum
Fuefuki
Complete set of 46 sheets
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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: Surugadai in Edo, and when?: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: Surugadai in Edo is by Katsushika Hokusai, made in c. 1830-33 (Tenpo 1-4). Medium: Woodblock print (ukiyo-e).
What place does Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: Surugadai in Edo show?: It shows Surugadai (Tokyo).
Where can I see Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: Surugadai in Edo?: It is held by Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, Edo-Tokyo Museum. Exhibitions change, so check each museum's information before you visit.