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These prints are the illustration plates from a series of illustration books (totalling 3 books to complete series) called Fugaku yakkei (100 views of Mt Fuji) designed by Katsushika Hokusai (1760 - 1849).Hokusai is well known for designing the world renowned series called Fugaku sanjyu-rokkei 36 (36 views of Mt Fuji), which includes the famous big wave picture (The Great Wave off Kanagawa). This series was printed in 1932, and had a major impact on European artists of the late 1800's.
The artwork of Hokusai has beautiful line work. All of these have been made using woodblock printing techniques. In those days it was the only way of mass producing pictures and texts in Japan.
The first edition of Fugaku hyakkei was printed in 1934-5, and the second edition in 1860's. The prints shown here are from the second edition, and are overall in good condition.
http://www.japanesegallery.co.uk/default.php?Sel=artists&Submenu=4&artist=35
