Japanese Woodblock Print, pre-war postcard published by the N.Y.K. Cruiseship Line

SIZE IN INCHES: 5.5 x 3.5 inches

SINCE THERE IS NO PLACE IN THE VICITY OF MT. FUJI known as "Mishima Pass," the location of this print is uncertain. The title suggests that it might be the Kagosaka Pass on the road from Fuji Yoshida in Kai Province to the town of Misima on the Tokaido, but the Kagosaka Pass offers no comparable view of Fuji. Another print with the same name as this appears in the seventh volume of the Manga, but though it also features a mountain, the mountain bears ony a generic resemblance to Fuji. In "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji" a mountain similar to the one in the manga appears under the title "Fuji form the Mountains around the Daiseki-ji," but the Daiseki-ji was on the other side of Mt. Fuji from the Kagosaka Pass. In effect, it seems likely that the view shown here is fictitious, or at least composite.

And yet, the print has a genuinely realistic appearance: the sight shown is one that might well be seen at a pass high in the mountains. Furthermore, the deep forest around the Kagosaka Pass abounds in hugh trees, though perhaps not so huge that three men with outstretched arms could not encircle one of them. Hokusai may have reasoned that if Fuji were not visible in this form at Kagosaka Pass, it nevertheless ought to be. In any case, the boldness and vigor of the composition make this one of the most impressive prints in the series. The signature is "Iitsu, the former Hokusai."

Fine, no flaws