Mitsui Shop at Surugachō in Edo - Katsushika Hokusai

A classic woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai, depicting the Mitsui shop in Edo with Mount Fuji visible in the background.

This woodblock print is a plate from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji by Katsushika Hokusai. It depicts the bustling Surugachō district in Edo, specifically focusing on the Mitsui dry goods store. The composition uses the steep, tiled roofs of the shop to frame a view of Mount Fuji in the distance. The mountain, rendered with a snow-capped peak, sits against a dark blue horizon line that transitions into a lighter sky. In the foreground, figures are positioned on the roof of the Mitsui store. Their presence adds a sense of daily activity to the scene. One figure is seen flying a large rectangular kite, which bears the name of the shop. The architectural lines of the building are precise, demonstrating the influence of Western linear perspective that Hokusai integrated into his work during this period. The yellow signage on the shop front provides a contrast to the blue tones of the sky and the mountain. Hokusai was a master of the ukiyo-e genre, and this series is widely recognised for its technical execution and its exploration of the relationship between human activity and the natural world. The print captures a specific moment in the urban life of Edo, showing the intersection of commerce and the iconic geography of Japan. The use of Prussian blue, a pigment that had recently become available in Japan, is evident in the sky and the mountain base. This print remains a clear example of the artist's ability to balance architectural detail with the vastness of the natural environment.