Bamboo Groves at Kume Village, from the series Eight Views of the Ryukyu Islands

Here, Hokusai presents a distant view of a famous site in the Ryūkyū Islands. Small figures in the foreground sweep and fish, grounding the scene in daily life and showing harmony between villagers and their environment. The print’s centerpiece is a bamboo grove, rendered with delicate, intricate lines. Apart from its many practical uses, bamboo symbolized resilience and adaptability—qualities valued in both Ryūkyūan and Japanese cultures.

Hokusai’s attention to detail appears in the diverse vegetation’s varied textures and colors. The color palette balances vibrancy with subtlety: blue sky and sea contrast with earthy land tones, while green vegetation creates freshness. Together, these elements create a serene, inviting atmosphere that brings the distant Ryūkyū landscape to life.