Ando Hiroshige’s Illustrated History of Japan is one of his least known series. It was executed toward the end of his life to satisfy the public’s overwhelming demand for his work. The series consists of fourteen historical events, many of which were taken from one of the oldest written histories of Japan called the Record of Ancient Matters (Kojiki), compiled during the eighth century. Each print follows the same format with a large register of text running along the top with the series title along the right side.
This third design from the series depicts the first appearance of Mt. Fuji. The mountain, which is considered sacred in indigenous Shinto religion, was viewed as a national icon from the earliest histories of Japan. The story above the image details the expansion of Japan from the island of Kyushu to the region where Mt. Fuji is located, which took many years and countless wars and battles. The actual event pictured here occurred circa 272 B.C., when according to legend, Mt. Fuji first appeared from the mist. In addition, the text covers the genealogy of the first seven legendary emperors of Japan.
