Shirasuka: View of Shiomi Slope (Shirasuka, Shiomizaka Zu)

This print is titled “Shirasuka: View of Shiomi Slope.” Like its namesake, the print depicts the slopes of Shiomi overlooking the vast ocean. From the gradient in the sky, it shows an early morning with a red/orange hue fading at the ocean line and the top of the print. The slopes create elevation within the piece, it creates a distinction between the levels of the foreground, which is the slopes to that of the back, being the ocean far in the distance. The gradience in the ocean is trying to depict how it continues far out, so far that there is no pigmentation to create a sense of endless continuation, as well as the simple but small sails of the far-off boats. In the foreground, there are the docks and the parade of people possibly being a daimyo traveling or some official royal business needing a company of people to travel. Either way, this piece shows the life within the landscape.

• Jesus Martinez Gomez