Waterfalls by Hokusai –
Likewise in Big Wave, one can find in this pair of waterfalls by Hokusai, from the Series entitled Most popular waterfalls in different Provinces, the reiterated theme of water as a power of nature. That’s how such a natural element can be contemplated by an artist, which is able to highlight its force through the fringing spray. This is masterly expressed under form of light water pearls, as those contouring the jaggedy crest of the above-mentioned Wave. Once again, nature is represented as if it was an anthropomorphic subject, namely as if the waterfall was the hand of a giant, or the thousand fingers of a god of the mountains. The adopted portrayal style turns the subject in a pure form by using an elegantly linear look bearing some resemblance to, even though more vibrant than, Liberty. It’s almost as if the natural elements have been imbued with a principle of life, something as a soul.
Without having the destructive force of the ocean’s wave, the waterfall looks impressive in size owing to the comparison with the little human figures involved in the overall scenario. The relationship between people and nature, far from being contaminated by domination as it is the case in the Western culture, can merely establish a sense of awe or contemplation. That is exactly what the three pilgrims, from behind in a close-up, feel while watching upward Waterfall Kirifuri.
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The pictures are respectively from https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/asset-viewer/kirifuri-waterfall-on-mount-kurokami-in-shimotsuke-province-shimotsuke-kurokamiyama-kirifuri-notaki-from-the-series-waterfalls-in-various-provinces-shokoku-takimeguri/FAHkGUQE3vGNFg?hl=it&projectId=art-project
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The inset picture is from commons.wikimedia.org