Tama River in Musashi Province - Katsushika Hokusai

A classic woodblock print from Hokusai's Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, featuring the Tama River and the iconic mountain peak in Prussian blue.

This woodblock print is part of the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, produced by Katsushika Hokusai during the Edo period. The composition captures a serene view of the Tama River, with the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji rising in the distance. Hokusai employs a distinct colour palette, dominated by the use of Prussian blue, a pigment that had recently become available in Japan and allowed for the subtle gradations seen in the sky and water.

The foreground features a riverbank where a traveller leads a pack horse, while a small boat drifts upon the water. The artist balances these human elements against the vastness of the natural environment. The water is rendered with rhythmic, repetitive lines that suggest movement without overwhelming the calm atmosphere of the scene. Hokusai uses a clear, structured perspective to guide the eye from the immediate riverbank towards the distant mountain, which remains the constant subject across the entire series.

Technically, the print demonstrates the precision of the ukiyo-e tradition. The registration of the colour blocks is exact, allowing for the crisp definition of the mountain silhouette against the horizon. The work reflects the artist's interest in the relationship between human activity and the natural world, a theme he explored throughout his career. By focusing on the Tama River, Hokusai provides a specific geographical reference point while maintaining the aesthetic harmony characteristic of his later works. This print remains a clear example of the technical mastery involved in nineteenth-century Japanese printmaking, where the collaboration between artist, carver, and printer resulted in works of great clarity and balance.