Title : Yumura in Kai Province

Artist : Katsushika Hokusai

Date : c. 1834 - 1835

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : The Japanese are fortunate in having natural hot water spas all over their volcanic country. People not only enjoy bathing but also seek these waters for their power to cure minor illnesses. Here Hokusai depicts a famous hot spring, Yumura (""Village of Hot Water""), now in the city of Köfu. Inns are supplied with water from the hot springs that bubble up at several places in the area. Here we see several people approaching, after a long journey, the spa inns that occupy the right half of the fan. It is said that Hokusai liked to visit spas, and he may have come to Yumura. He depicted the spa village well; interestingly, the doors to the inns are wide open so people inside are visible from the outside. The buildings seem to be rudimentary, with many rocks holding down the roof shingles. The pink sky makes a beautiful contrast against the predominant blue of the image. (Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, “Hokusai and Hiroshige”, 1998)

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