The "Landscape with Mount Fuji" is Tani Buncho's part of the three-volume Meizan zufu (illustrations of Japan's famous mountains). He was the leading Japanese artist and poet from the late Edo period. He blended the Japanese, the Chinese and the Western artistic styles. Tani Buncho's artwork shows Mount Fuji in dark outlines against the backdrop of a grey atmosphere, with dark storm clouds forming. The mountain, which is an active volcano, is portrayed as a serene and eternal peak. Meanwhile, the boat depicted in the painting is in contrast to the tranquillity of Mount Fuji. The boat seems to be rushing towards the shore and is clearly wind-beaten. The mountain stands still while the sailboat is in a hurry. The painting illustrates the theme of calm versus motion. The sailboat is done in dry and rapid brushstrokes. This balance of calm and chaos was part of Buncho's technique and is also mentioned in his signature, "Nanaju-hachi-o", which means "seventy-eight-year-old-man". The painting is a testament to the harmony he achieved by combining dynamic, energetic brushwork with a peaceful monochromatic landscape. The painting uses the traditional East Asian style by using ink or light colors (sumi) on silk. The painting is part of the bunjinga (Nanga) tradition, which blends the monochrome ink and the West-influenced realism and topographical perspective.
This artwork was produced during the final year of the artist's life. In that context, the tempest-tossed boat moving towards a stony, resistant shore and the serenity, permanence, and calm of Mount Fuji provides the painting a sustained meditative character on life and death. The position of this painting is particularly interesting with respect to the artistic philosophy of Buncho, as it creates a tension between a real topographical landscape and an idealistic/symbolic natural description commonly associated with Chinese literati paintings. (https://www.comuseum.com/painting/schools/literati-painting/)
