Captivated by the Intense Individuality of Mount Fuji

Yet, Fuji

The other day, I read an article by Yu Morio and thought, "I see!"

He is active as an illustrator and posts mainly on his "My Showa Sketches" series on note, which I look forward to every time as one of his fans.
The "Fuji" depicted in this article appears to me as something vibrant and divine, but I couldn't help but react to the keyword that in the past, there was a "lack of heart" toward Fuji.

I see, for Japanese people, "Fuji" is a special mountain, an object of worship since ancient times, and a source of the spirit.

To draw or talk about it, perhaps one needs a corresponding history of one's own.

Why are Japanese people captivated by "Fuji"?

An object of worship since ancient times

Living in a small island nation, Japanese people have enjoyed its blessings since ancient times, while conversely being at the mercy of it, and have been kept alive by that great nature.

It was precisely because of the mountain's trees that the iron industry, the foundation of civilization, developed, and the "charcoal" needed to light those fires could be produced in inexhaustible supply.

The "Tatara ironmaking" that developed from ancient times to the early modern period would repeat the cycle of moving to different locations every 30 years or so to regenerate the forests after they had been completely cleared for fuel, successfully maintaining a balance between nature and demand.

It was because of the abundant forests that swords and guns required by the rulers of the era, as well as hoes, axes, and kitchen knives necessary for the lives of common people, were produced.

That said, it is also a fact that lives were often taken in an instant due to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

With a deep understanding that life was sustained and history was built precisely because of these mountainous regions, a sense of respect and awe for them was deeply rooted in the consciousness of the Japanese people.

Shinto shrines, for example, have mountains as their sacred objects, and in Buddhism, figures like Saicho and Kukai opened sites for enlightenment on the mountains themselves.

For the Japanese people, the existence of mountains has remained an object of worship, being both familiar and at the same time sacred.

Mount Fuji as a Subject of Literature and Art

In mountain worship, where mountains are revered as sacred, Mount Fuji, which is located almost in the center of Japan and towers as the highest peak in the country, has been deeply venerated as a representative sacred mountain and as a symbol of Japan due to its beautiful form.

Because Mount Fuji has been the spiritual source for the Japanese people since ancient times, when one learns of its history, it is not so much viewed with the eyes as it is viewed with the heart, leading to the creation of many works in all forms of art, including painting, literature, and poetry.

The beauty of Mount Fuji continues to fascinate people even today, transcending generations.

Unfortunately, although I have seen its form, I have never climbed it, and since I have only heard the impressions of those who have, I can only imagine the experience.

Its beautiful form, which changes moment by moment depending on the time and season, is truly a subject that one cannot help but express through art.

The 'Mount Fuji' of Tamako Kataoka, Radiating Overwhelming Individuality

In the world of Japanese painting, famous depictions of 'Fuji' are often by male painters, such as
Taikan Yokoyama and Katsushika Hokusai, but here I would like to focus on one female painter.

That is Tamako Kataoka.

When I saw her 'Mount Fuji,' I was overwhelmed by a vivid artistic power that left me unsure whether it was tacky or cool. I was deeply shocked by a Mount Fuji that could easily be dismissed as a poor work.
I had never seen a 'Mount Fuji' that asserted itself so brightly and boldly, or so innocently, and possessed such an intense individuality that it allowed nothing else to come near it.

I had never seen a 'Mount Fuji' that asserted itself so brightly and boldly, or so innocently, and possessed such an intense individuality that it allowed nothing else to come near it.

Tamako Kataoka was born in 1905 into an ordinary family in Hokkaido. Despite the fact that it was still a male-dominated society, she aspired to be a painter, faced fierce opposition from her parents, and was even disowned, yet she continued to paint. Unfortunately, she faced a series of rejections whenever she submitted her work to exhibitions.
She was even nicknamed the 'Goddess of Rejection'.

Surely, this intensity was difficult for people to understand.

However, since the 26th Inten Exhibition in 1939, she achieved recognition every time.

With her unprecedented powerful lines, bold composition, and use of color, some even mocked her work as 'grotesque.' Despite her struggles, she continued to create with the conviction that 'painting the subject exactly as it is is not everything,' and as a result, she established a powerful and unique method of expression that fundamentally overturned the concepts of the Japanese painting world at the time.

After that, while serving as an art university professor and president, she continued her creative activities energetically. She even painted Kabuki costumes in her characteristic style.

In 1976, she received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Third ClassGold Rays with Neck Ribbon, and in 1989, she received the 42nd
Chunichi Cultural Award and the Order of Culture, passing away in 2008 at the age of 103. Her life was long, and she remained single, dedicating it to depicting powerful individuality.

I felt her robust life force in this excessively deformed Mount Fuji, and for some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off it.

When expressed to this extent, I think it no longer falls into the category of "tacky," but rather completely into the category of "cool."

It is likely an expression of her unique faith in Mount Fuji.

Although I have only seen it on TV and have not yet seen the real thing, it is a "Mount Fuji" that makes me want to see it in person if I have the chance.

☆ Yarapon-san, thank you for always introducing me.

☆ You celebrated me last week too! Thank you as always.

☆ It's been two weeks in a row!