Who painted Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: In the Mountains of Totomi Province, and when?

Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: In the Mountains of Totomi Province 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: In the Mountains of Totomi Province show?

It shows Totomi Province (Shizuoka).

Where can I see Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: In the Mountains of Totomi Province?

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 ・ 20

In the Mountains of Totomi Province

冨嶽三十六景遠江山中

Across tall supports, a huge square timber is laid on a slant, and sawyers pull a great saw from above and below. Fuji peeps through the triangular gap formed by the supports, and the smoke of a bonfire overlaps with the clouds surrounding Fuji.

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: Totomi Province（Shizuoka）
Seen in the distance: Mount Fuji

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About this work

The timber running diagonally across the picture is set at more than twice a person's height. One man stands on the timber and saws from above, another from below, cutting with a large saw. At lower left another craftsman is sharpening a saw (grinding and dressing its teeth). Beside him a bonfire sends up smoke. Something like a mat is spread at the craftsmen's feet.

Fuji is fitted into the triangular gap formed by the posts that support the timber. The timber, the supports, and Fuji overlay several triangles to create a geometric picture. The smoke of the bonfire rises in a direction crossing the timber and is drawn to join the clouds surrounding Fuji. The smoke is expressed by a method unique to woodblock printing, leaving the outline unprinted and adding bokashi.

The Yamanashi Prefectural Museum points out that the figures of the craftsmen were borrowed from Kuwagata Keisai's "Kinsei Shokunin-zukushi-ekotoba." Katsushika Hokusai re-placed those figures on a height with a view of Fuji and made them his own composition. "Totomi" in the title is the name of a province, and no specific place name is indicated.

The place today

Totomi corresponds to the part of today's Shizuoka Prefecture west of the Oi River. Hamamatsu City occupies nearly the western half of it. After the abolition of the domains, Hamamatsu Prefecture was established, and in 1876 (Meiji 9) it merged with Shizuoka Prefecture to form the present prefectural area.

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. 92202761
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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: In the Mountains of Totomi Province, and when?: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: In the Mountains of Totomi Province 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: In the Mountains of Totomi Province show?: It shows Totomi Province (Shizuoka).
Where can I see Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: In the Mountains of Totomi Province?: 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.