Hiroshi Yoshida 吉田博: The Summit of Fujiyama (山頂剣ヶ峯 Kengamine Summit)
Artist: Yoshida Hiroshi (1876-1950)
Title: The Summit of Fujiyama (山頂剣ヶ峯 Kengamine Summit) Date: 1928
Series: Ten Scenes of Mount Fuji
Several hikers have stopped to rest and catch their breath, looking out over the cloudy abyss to the right. To the left are clusters of climbers who seem eager to be near the trail’s peak; most wear the distinctive white Fuji-ascending garments that were donned for this pilgrimage/ascent. The Japanese title of this print indicates that we are approaching the summit of Kengamine, the highest of the eight peaks around Fuji-san’s enormous summit crater. They are taking a rest at about 12,300 feet, on what is probably “Uma-no-se” (”Horse’s Back”), a short but steep ridge just below Kengamine. A few years after this print was published, the government placed a weather station building atop Kangamine itself, in 1936. So even what we might imagine to be a timeless view still has still undergone significant change since the time of printing. Today’s view shows a large cluster of buildings and measuring equipment comprising the Fuji Special Regional Meteorological Observatory; this would take up most of the view captured here in 1928 which is comprised of rocks and sky. Apparently Yoshida himself remarked that although Fuji’s summit looks almost flat from a distance, from up close it is formed of jagged, sharp peaks. Pencil signed, with the “jizuri” (self-printed) seal, indicating a lifetime impression. Provenance: From the personal collection of the late Herbert Egenolf.
Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. A couple of very minor spots on right side. Never framed. Dimensions: ôban (27 x 40 cm)
Publisher: Self-published by the artist.
Literature: Abe catalog number 53. See National Museum of Asian Art, Carnegie Museum of Art, Honolulu Museum of Art. Seal: Jizuri (“self-printed”) in ink and red artist's seal lower left
Signature: Yoshida in ink (Japanese) and Hiroshi Yoshida in pencil (Romaji)
SKU: YOS244
