Japanese Woodblock Print, full title is "The Surface of the Water at Misaka, Kai 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: LYING IN AN ARC THAT STRETCHES from the west side of Mt. Fuji northward around to the west side is a series of lakes known as the "Five Lakes of Fuji." Of them, the one which has the clearest water and the most beautiful setting is Lake Kawaguchi, seen in this print from a point on the ascent to the nearby Misaka Pass. Lake Kawaguchi is due north of Fuji. From here the mountain can almost be seen in its entirety, and the slope near the top is sharper than in the view from the east. On clear mornings a mirrored image of the peak appears in the lake. This "upside-down Fuji" is very famous, and Hokusai chose it as the subject for this print. The signature is "Iitsu, the former Hokusai."

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