Yayoi Kusama

Mt. Fuji in Seven Colours

The theme of these contemporary ukiyo-e is Mt. Fuji, the symbol of Japan. This majestic mountain, which was inscribed on the List of World Cultural Heritage Sites in 2013, has been the subject of ukiyo-e and many other arts since olden times. These works are based on a painting that Ms. Kusama created in a moment of inspiration when, during her first encounter with Mt. Fuji at close range, she was totally captivated by the mountain. The artworks depict Mt. Fuji's exceptional life force and its majestic solo summit by highlighting the mountain's broad base and soaring peak.

Yayoi Kusama, the "Queen of the Polka Dot," fills in the blue sky with countless polka dots as she paints with single-minded concentration.

© YAYOI KUSAMA

The carver shows his skill by giving each polka dot a unique character.

This woodblock is the result of the carver's immersion of himself in the polka dots and his merging with Ms. Kusama's painting as he felt her brushwork.

The blue sky has 14,685 polka dots, Ms. Kusama's trademark.

The bold brushstrokes used to depict the outline of Mt. Fuji communicate the majesty of the mountain.

Solid gold is used in the happily smiling sun to give it a golden glow.

The printer makes each print using vivid colours blended by the printer -a unique feature of woodcut prints.

Ichibei Iwano, a living national treasure, specially makes Echizen kizuki hosho washi (a unique kind of Japanese paper) in the maximum size.

Carving the Rhythm of the Artist's Breath into the Woodcut
Immersed in the Ever-Multiplying Polka Dots

Ms. Kusama is known as the "Queen of the Polka Dot." For her, the polka dot pattern symbolizes self-obliteration as she becomes immersed in the endlessly multiplying polka dots. Chikura Kishi is the young Adachi carver whose task was to carve the 14,685 polka dots that make up the sky. He created the woodblock by immersing himself in the polka dots and merging with the painting as he felt Ms. Kusama's brushwork in the uniqueness of each dot.

Toward the New That Lies beyond the Imagination
The Printer's Challenge to Create Seven Colours

Ms. Kusama always tries to create something new that exceeds the imagination. In step with this aim, the Adachi Institute decided to depict Mt. Fuji in seven different hues. Woodcut prints are known for their vivid colours. Inspired by the bright colours created by Yoshio Kyoso, a young Adachi printer, Ms. Kusama composed a poem for the artworks on the spot. In this and other ways, this collaboration gave birth to new creative explorations.

© YAYOI KUSAMA

Yayoi Kusama

Born in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, in 1929. Created fantastical paintings using polka dots and nets as motifs from around age ten. Moved to the United States at age 28. Established herself as an avant-garde artist by staging happenings in New York City in the latter half of the 1960s. Returned to Japan in 1973. Represented Japan at the 45th Venice Biennale in 1993. Her solo exhibition was the first at the Japan Pavilion that year. More recently, her major solo exhibits have been well received during their international tours of famous art museums.

Each of the seven colours gives Mt. Fuji a different expression.

When life boundlessly flares up to the universe

Where the universe and human life are

All about Mt. Fuji that I have loved my whole life

All things full of kindness touched my heart

Mt. Fuji, I love

My life shining forever, this human love shall not perish even after billions of light years

Where our soul sets in, this dark mountain embraces all with love

Print 800,000yen (Tax-exclusive)
Framed 840,000yen (Tax-exclusive)

Limited Edition:
120 per Colour
Image Size:
30.3 x 90.0 cm
Frame:
51.0 x 110.0 cm Original Frame
Weight 3.5kg, Made of wood and acrylic (70% of UV cut)
Technique:
Ukiyo-e Style Woodcut Print
Paper:
Echizen Kizuki Hosho Washi
made by Living National Treasure, Ichibei Iwano
Publication Year:
2015
Supervised:
Yayoi Kusama Studio Inc.
The Adachi Foundation for the Preservation of Woodcut Printing
Produced:
The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints
Notes:
Limit 1 print per person