“The Fields of Sekiya by the Sumida River,” created by Katsushika Hokusai between 1823 and 1831, is a woodcut from the Ukiyo-e art movement, specifically a genre painting. This work is part of Hokusai’s renowned series “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.” The artwork currently resides in the British Library located in London, UK.
The artwork depicts an idyllic scene along the Sumida River, featuring three horses with lively riders traversing a winding path. The composition is balanced with a picturesque view of Mount Fuji in the background, which is a recurrent motif in the series. A gracefully contorted pine tree stands out, adding depth to the landscape. The colors are vivid yet harmonious, typical of the Ukiyo-e style, and showcase intricate details in the riders’ attire and the surrounding foliage, which are reflective of Japan’s Edo period.
