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Fuji from the Tea Plantation of Katakura in Suruga Province

This is one of the prints from Hokusai's thirty-six views of Mt. Fuji. Although there were thirty-six original prints ten supplementary were added and this is print number 44. They were produced from 1830 to 1835.

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was a Japanese painter and wood engraver, born in Edo (which is now Tokyo). He is considered one of the best artists of the art of the Ukiyo-e school of woodblock printing. He entered the Katsukawa Shunsho studio to study the new and popular technique of woodcut printmaking in 1775.

Between 1796 and 1802 he produced a great number of book illustrations and color prints. It is thought that there may have been up to 30,000 pieces of artwork. His work drew inspiration from the traditions, legends, and lives of the Japanese people. This particular print is of a tea plantion's view of Mt. Fuji. Tea or Ocha as it is called was and still is a staple of the Japanese diet.