A view of the Mitsui-shop in Suruga-street, Edo

Saki no Hokusai Iitsuhitsu SSS様 SSSSLeaf 21. Mitsui was Japan’s largest bank and trading house during the Edo period, with bases in all major cities. Hokusai focuses on our view of Mount Fuji through Suruga Street, the headquarters of this company association. In addition, roofers can be observed during their work. Flight dragons draw through the background. But the most important thing is probably the “advertising” of the Mitsui Aber company, which raises the question: was the series of “36 views” co-financed by Mitsui? A thematically similar sheet dates back to before 1775 by Torii Kiyohiro Ein 様. Hokusai may also have borrowed in the composition, but now the front and background are more realistically connected. Kiyohiro: The Suruga-dōri on New Year’s Day, circa 1770, Tokyo National Museum.