Fuji from the Katakura Tea Fields in Suruga - Katsushika Hokusai

A classic woodblock print from Hokusai's Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, depicting rural tea production in Suruga with the mountain in the distance.

This woodblock print is part of the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, a collection produced by Katsushika Hokusai during the Edo period. The composition depicts the rural activity within the tea fields of Suruga Province, with the iconic silhouette of Mount Fuji positioned in the distance. Hokusai employs a clear division of space, separating the foreground labour from the serene mountain backdrop.

In the foreground, workers are engaged in the processing of tea leaves, while horses carry containers across a small wooden bridge. The architecture of the thatched-roof structures provides a sense of scale and domesticity. Hokusai uses a controlled palette, relying on the characteristic Prussian blue for the sky and water, which contrasts with the earthy tones of the fields and buildings. The use of stylised clouds, a common feature in his work, helps to frame the scene and guide the viewer's eye toward the mountain.

Technically, the print demonstrates the precision of the woodblock medium. The lines are clean and deliberate, defining the contours of the figures and the textures of the thatched roofs. By focusing on the daily lives of the tea farmers, Hokusai provides a view of regional industry that exists alongside the natural grandeur of the mountain. The print captures a moment of agricultural routine, balancing the human element with the geographical presence of Fuji. This work remains a clear example of the artist's ability to organise complex scenes into a coherent visual narrative, maintaining a sense of order through geometric arrangement and colour balance.