Fall of Aoiga Oka, Yedo - Katsushika Hokusai

A classic woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai from his series A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces, depicting the Aoiga Oka waterfall in Yedo.

This woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai belongs to his series titled A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces (Shokoku taki meguri), produced around 1833. The image depicts the Aoiga Oka waterfall in Yedo, modern-day Tokyo. Hokusai captures the scene with a focus on the interaction between human activity and the natural environment.

The composition is divided into distinct zones. To the left, a path winds past a small shrine or tea house, where figures are seen walking and carrying goods. The central mass of the composition is a steep, grassy embankment that leads the eye toward the waterfall itself. The water descends in a controlled, almost geometric fashion, contrasting with the more organic, rounded forms of the trees and the hillside.

Hokusai employs a palette dominated by Prussian blue, a pigment that had recently become available to Japanese printmakers. This colour is used for the water, the sky, and the roofs of the buildings, providing a sense of unity across the print. The figures in the foreground, including a man carrying a pole with baskets, add a sense of scale and daily life to the scene. The print demonstrates Hokusai's ability to balance observation of nature with the stylistic conventions of the Ukiyo-e tradition. The use of clear outlines and flat areas of colour is characteristic of the medium, allowing for the reproduction of the image in multiple impressions. This work provides a view into the topography of Yedo during the Edo period, documenting locations that were popular destinations for travellers and residents alike. The print remains a clear example of Hokusai's technical skill in woodblock printing and his interest in the diverse geography of Japan.