Japanese Woodblock Print, full title is "Tama River in Mushashi Province" from the series "Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji", this Showa era printing by S. Watanabe from recarved woodblock with the publisher's 6mm seal (used 1946-1957)

SIZE IN INCHES: oban 10.5 x 15.5 inches

COMMENTS: ON THE CLEAR WATERS of the Tama River sails a small ferryboat carrying branches and twigs. Its movement into the depths of the print guides the viewer's eye toward the sacred mountain rising in the distance. Fuji's deep blue coloration matches that of the trees on the near coast, creating a formal link between background and foreground. The lone figure guiding a pack horse on the quiet shore adds to the serenity of the scene.

KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI (1760-1849), who also used the names Shunro, Sori, Kako, Taito, Gakyojin, Iitsu, and Manji, was a Japanese master artist and printmaker of the ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world) school. His early works represent the full spectrum of ukiyo-e art, including single sheet prints of landscapes and actors, hand paintings, and surimono (printed things), such as greetings and announcements. Later he concentrated on the classical themes of the samurai and Chinese subjects. His famous print series "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," published between 1826 and 1833, marked the summit in the history of the Japanese landscape print.

Fine, no flaws