Poem by Minamoto no Muneyuki - Katsushika Hokusai

A woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai depicting villagers warming themselves by a fire in a snowy mountain landscape, from his series on classic poetry.

This woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai forms part of the series 'One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets Explained by the Nurse'. The series interprets the classic Hyakunin Isshu anthology through visual narratives. In this specific composition, Hokusai illustrates the poem by Minamoto no Muneyuki, which reflects on the solitude of a mountain village during winter. The scene depicts a group of villagers gathered around a fire to escape the biting cold. Hokusai employs his characteristic approach to line and form, using stylised, rhythmic patterns to represent the heavy snowfall and the smoke rising from the flames. The figures are rendered with expressive gestures, their postures conveying the physical discomfort of the freezing environment. The composition balances the human element with the stark, unforgiving nature of the winter setting. Technically, the print demonstrates the sophisticated use of colour and block-cutting techniques common in Hokusai’s later career. The muted palette, dominated by cool blues, greys, and earthy tones, reinforces the seasonal theme. The inclusion of the poem’s text within a cartouche at the top right provides the necessary literary context, linking the visual imagery to the traditional verse. This work offers a glimpse into the daily lives of common people, a recurring subject in Hokusai’s broader body of work. By focusing on the struggle against the elements, the artist creates a narrative that is both grounded in reality and stylistically distinct. The print remains a fine example of the Ukiyo-e tradition, where literary appreciation and artistic observation converge.