
c. 1835/36
Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾 北斎 Japanese, 1760-1849
Japan
The poet Tsuraki was appointed governor of Iki province, near Kyoto, in 920. He composed this poem while crossing Mount Shiga:
In a mountain stream.
Built by the busy wind,
Is a wattled barrier drawn.
Yet ‘tis only maple leaves
Powerless to flow away.
(Translated by Clay MacCauley)
Hokusai presents a lovely, clear day drawing to its close. The woodcutters continue their task and a fisherman casts his net where maple leaves are briefly caught in the rush of the mountain stream. A mother pulls her son along, who leads his pet turtle home over the plank bridge.
Color woodblock print; yoko oban