Inume Pass in Kai Province - Katsushika Hokusai

A classic woodblock print from Hokusai's Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, depicting travellers navigating the steep Inume Pass with the mountain in the distance.

This woodblock print is a component of the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, produced by Katsushika Hokusai during the Edo period. The composition captures the Inume Pass in Kai Province, offering a view of Mount Fuji from a high vantage point. Hokusai employs a distinct colour palette, utilising the newly introduced Prussian blue to define the mountain and the shaded foliage, which contrasts with the pale green slopes of the pass.

The scene depicts travellers and pack horses navigating the steep, grassy incline. The figures are small in scale, which emphasises the vastness of the terrain and the imposing presence of the mountain in the distance. The mountain itself is rendered with a stylised, jagged peak, partially obscured by clouds that sit below the summit. This layering of elements creates a sense of depth, guiding the eye from the foreground path toward the horizon.

Technically, the print demonstrates the precision of the woodblock medium. The lines are clean and deliberate, defining the contours of the rolling hills and the textures of the trees. The sky features a subtle gradient, a technique known as bokashi, which transitions from a deep blue at the top to a lighter tone near the mountain. This print reflects Hokusai's interest in the relationship between human activity and the natural world. By placing the travellers on the periphery, he allows the mountain to remain the primary subject. The work remains a clear example of the technical mastery achieved by Japanese printmakers during the nineteenth century, balancing observation with decorative composition.