Gohyaku Rakan-ji Sazaidō
Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji
Katsushika Hokusai
Artwork Description
This print depicts the panoramic view from the Sazaidō of Gohyaku Rakan-ji Temple in Honjo, in eastern Edo. Built in 1741, the Sazaidō was a rare spiral structure whose internal ramp allowed pilgrims to ascend and descend without retracing their steps, completing a devotional circuit of one hundred Kannon statues in a continuous flow.
Hokusai positions the viewer on the upper balcony. Visitors gather along the railing, their backs turned toward us. Their gestures direct our gaze outward—across the Sumida River and toward the distant silhouette of Mount Fuji.
Fuji appears small, yet perfectly framed by the open horizon. The architectural lines of the balcony—floorboards, railings, roof diagonals—converge subtly toward the mountain. Geometry guides vision. Human construction leads to natural permanence.
The composition is built on layered perspective: interior to exterior, wood to sky, city to mountain. The dynamic angles of the structure contrast with the still triangular form of Fuji.
Although the Sazaidō no longer survives, Hokusai preserves its presence through structure. The building becomes a viewing device, a frame within a frame. The act of looking becomes the subject.
Within the series, this work explores perspective not only as optical device, but as spiritual orientation. Devotion, architecture, leisure, and landscape intersect in a single elevated moment.
About Katsushika Hokusai
Katsushika Hokusai was one of the most influential ukiyo-e artists of the Edo period. Active as painter and printmaker, he expanded ukiyo-e into a structural investigation of space, movement, and society.
In Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, Hokusai repeatedly frames the mountain through architecture, labor, ritual, and landscape—revealing Fuji as both physical landmark and metaphysical axis.
Reproduction
This work is a 20th century lithographic reproduction of Hokusai’s Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.
It is not an original Edo period woodblock print, but a later limited edition lithograph.
Hand printed and numbered 180/300 in pencil on the lower margin.
Details
Medium: Lithograph
Edition: 180/300
Size: 410 mm × 600 mm
All artworks are sold as shown in the photographs.
