Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji by Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849)
I recently fell in love with a book of Japanese art. I saw it on the shelf in a local bookstore and felt the desire to immediately own it. Despite my supposed commitment to declutter and not buy ‘things I don’t really need’, I guess the overwhelming emotion that I ‘needed’ this art outweighed those other thoughts. Those who know me well, know I love books and I love art…this just felt right!
“Transporting readers to 19th-century Japan, this reproduction of Katsushika Hokusai’s Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji presents an artifact of art history and a masterpiece of woodblock practice. An assemblage of the complete 46 plates and 114 color variations, gathered from museums and collections worldwide, this edition is bound in Japanese style.”
From the tactile feel of the cover, to the beautifully crafted toggles that secure it around the hand-stitched book, this tome is an absolute treasure. As you open it slowly, reverently, the inside cover reveals a stunning image of Mount Fuji, that should be hung on a wall, to be admired, not just as a casing for an exotic album.
Interior print of the cover
The description and history of the art has been detailed by Andreas Marks, and is variously written in English, French and German. The paper is exquisitely smooth, and the colours are vibrant, and muted. It really is a magical volume that will bring me immense pleasure for the rest of my days.
I immediately fell in love with the following image - Plate 4 ‘Ushibori in Hitachi Province’ but I’m sure my favourite will change with my moods.
A cargo ship at anchor with Mount Fuji in the background.
More than two and half centuries later, the images still evoke the beautiful landscapes of Japan. It is my wish to see the many faces of Mount Fuji. It wasn’t visible from Tokyo the one day I was there. This art has moved my visit to Japan a little higher on my bucket list.
Do you have a favourite art book? Why? Please share in the comments below.
[1] Taschen (Publisher) description about this book. Accessed November 1, 2026. https://www.taschen.com/en/books/art/41435/hokusai-thirty-six-views-of-mount-fuji/
