South Wind, Clear Sky - Katsushika Hokusai

A classic woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai, depicting Mount Fuji bathed in the light of an early morning sun.

South Wind, Clear Sky, often referred to as Red Fuji, is one of the most recognisable prints from Katsushika Hokusai's series, Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. Produced during the Edo period, this work demonstrates the technical mastery of the woodblock medium. Hokusai captures the mountain during a specific meteorological moment, where the early morning sun illuminates the slopes, turning the volcanic rock a deep, reddish-brown hue against a sky filled with delicate, linear cloud formations. The composition relies on a bold, diagonal division of the frame. The mountain occupies the right side, while the left is dominated by the sky and the suggestion of a dense forest at the base. The use of Prussian blue, a pigment imported from Europe, allowed Hokusai to achieve the stark contrast between the dark, forested foothills and the lighter, sun-drenched peak. The summit retains patches of snow, rendered with precise, white outlines that provide a sense of scale and altitude. Unlike many other prints in the series, this work lacks human figures or architectural elements. The focus remains entirely on the geological form of the mountain. The sky is treated with a subtle gradation of colour, known as bokashi, which transitions from a deep indigo at the top to a lighter tone near the horizon. This print reflects the artist's interest in the natural world and his ability to distil complex atmospheric conditions into a graphic, balanced image. The clarity of the lines and the economy of the colour palette demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship involved in the production of ukiyo-e prints during the nineteenth century.