One of the three great works from the Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji series
This well-known work, considered one of Hokusai's defining masterpieces, comes from the Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji series, along with The Great Wave Off Kanagawa and A Mild Breeze on a Fine Day. The weather is clear and cloudless at the imposing mountain summit encrusted with pure white snow. Further below, we see that summer clouds are gathering, and at the foot of the mountain the jet black sky is pierced by powerful red lightning bolts. As the title of the work implies, no doubt it is raining heavily down at ground level.
This powerful and gripping work brilliantly depicts the changing face of the mountain, transcending even the weather, in line with Hokusai's expansive vision.
* The techniques and methods used to produce this work have remained unchanged since the Edo period. The Edo Woodblock brand of traditional multi-colour woodblock prints has been recognized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a Nationally Designated Traditional Craft Product and a Tokyo Traditional Craft Product.
Takahashi Kobo
https://takahashi-kobo.com/english/
Founded during the Ansei period (1854-1860), Takahashi Kobo has been making woodblock prints for approximately 160 years, since the Edo period (1603-1867). Originally working as Surishi (the artisans who colour the woodblocks and print the final image) on Edo woodblock prints, the Takahashi family began publishing prints after their fourth generation took over. "The work of woodblock printing is the root of Japanese printing. From temple school textbooks to ukiyo-e prints and wrapping paper, Japanese printing has always been supported by the technique of woodblock printing," says Yukiko Takahashi, the sixth generation of the Takahashi family.
During the Edo period, ukiyo-e prints served the purpose of informative magazines. For example, in the image of a beautiful woman, fashion trends of the time such as the design of the kimono and furniture, hairstyle, and hand fan, were all depicted in meticulous detail. The artistic value of ukiyo-e is such that it is now recognized globally.
Currently, Takahashi Kobo prints a wide variety of themes using woodblock, from traditional ukiyo-e to modern art. Furthermore, Takahashi produces merchandise sold at museum exhibitions and also holds lectures, demonstrations, and workshops by artisans at museums and schools. Such initiatives, which give new life to the culture of Edo woodblock prints by sharing and experiencing of the history and techniques associated them, have been highly popular and more and more offers have been coming from overseas recently, such as from Paris and London.
However, Takahashi says, "Ukiyo-e prints remain the base of woodblock prints. As we make use of this rich tradition and culture, I would like to use all five senses to capture current trends, embody them, and use them to produce works that suit contemporary lifestyles."
