KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI - Ejiri In Suruga Province

THE ARTWORK

Ejiri in Suruga Province, also known as Caught by the Ejiri Wind, is a woodblock print by the famous Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, part of his renowned series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji (c. 1830-1832). The scene shows a sudden gust of wind sweeping across the Tōkaidō road near the town of Ejiri, lifting papers and hats into the air as people struggle to hold onto their belongings. In the background, Mount Fuji rises majestically, offering a calm contrast to the chaotic moment in the foreground.

Hokusai masterfully captures movement and everyday life, showing how nature, in the form of wind, disrupts the mundane. The swirling wind symbolizes the unpredictability of life, while Mount Fuji represents stability and permanence. This print is celebrated for its dynamic composition, expressive use of line, and the way it harmonizes nature and human activity. It reflects the ukiyo-e genre’s focus on the beauty of transient moments in daily life.

THE ARTIST

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was a prolific Japanese artist, ukiyo-e painter, and printmaker of the Edo period. Born in Edo (now Tokyo), he began his artistic career at a young age, apprenticing with a woodblock carver at 14 and later studying under Katsukawa Shunshō, a prominent ukiyo-e artist. Hokusai adopted various names throughout his life, reflecting different phases of his artistic journey.

Hokusai is best known for his woodblock print series "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji," which includes the iconic "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." This series, created between 1830 and 1832, marked a significant period in his career, showcasing his innovative use of perspective, bold composition, and vibrant color. Hokusai's work extended beyond landscapes to include illustrations for novels, surimono (privately commissioned prints), and paintings.

He was a master of the ukiyo-e genre, which focused on depicting the "floating world" of pleasure districts, kabuki actors, and beautiful women. However, Hokusai's interests were broader, encompassing nature, mythology, and everyday life. His influence on Japanese art and beyond is profound, impacting Western artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet. Hokusai's dedication to his craft continued until his death at 88, leaving a legacy that endures in the art world today.

THE PRINT

• A4 Size = 29.7cm x 21cm = 11.7" x 8.25"
• A3 Size = 42cm x 29.7cm = 16.5" x 11.7"
• High resolution giclée print - 600dpi
• Printed to order
• Unframed & unmounted
• Professionally printed using Canon imagePROGRAF printers
• Digitally restored by OharaPrints from high resolution scans of the original artwork
• Made in and shipped from Casterton, Victoria, Australia

PAPER

• Canson Infinity - Arches BFK Rives White
• Paper weight = 310gsm
• 100% cotton
• Archival, museum grade
• Acid free
• No OBAs (optical brightening agents)

Arches BFK Rives is a high-quality, archival-grade paper manufactured at the Arches paper mill in France - one of the oldest papermakers in Europe. It is made from 100% cotton rag using a time-honoured manufacturing process, giving the paper exceptional durability, longevity, and resistance to yellowing or deterioration over time. Despite its substantial weight and thickness it maintains a very soft and supple feel. The paper has a natural white tone and is completely free of any optical brighteners (OBAs), allowing for superb colour rendition and deep blacks.

INK

• Canon Lucia Pro Inks
• Pigment based
• Archival, museum-grade
• Brilliant colours, even gradient and razor-sharp lines
• Highly stable and fade resistant, excellent humidity-fastness

SHIPPING & HANDLING

• All orders are dispatched on the NEXT BUSINESS DAY after receiving the order
• All prints are shipped via AUSTRALIA POST with TRACKING
• For postage rates and estimated delivery times please see our SHIPPING page
• All prints are shipped flat, not rolled
• Each print is individually placed into a resealable, archival grade plastic protective sleeve
• Prints are carefully packaged in very sturdy 700gsm cardboard envelopes, along with 1050gsm boxboard sheets which provide extra strength & rigidity to prevent bending or folding during transit