Fuji - yotsugiri

The second in a group of yotsugiri-format prints of Mount Fuji by Hasui, each presenting the peak under different conditions or from a different viewpoint. At one-quarter of oban size, the yotsugiri format demanded compositional concision, and Hasui's designs in this scale demonstrate his ability to construct convincing atmospheric depth within a small picture field. This composition may emphasize seasonal character—blossom, harvest haze, snow, or autumn foliage—to distinguish it from its companion pieces. Hasui's application of bokashi gradations, even at reduced scale, produces the subtle sky tones that define his atmospheric style. The prints were produced under the direction of publisher Watanabe Shozaburo, whose studio's technical standards for color registration and paper quality applied equally to modest-format work. Collectively, the yotsugiri Fuji designs form a small compendium of the mountain's variable moods.