The small town of Obuse nestles quietly in the foothills of the Japan Alps, a 30-minute ride on a local rail line from the prefectural capital of Nagano City.
Known locally for its apples and sweet chestnuts, this rural community would likely have remained in wider obscurity were it not for the retirement plans of one of Japan's most famous artists — ukiyo-e (woodblock print) master Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849).
Hokusai's masterpieces rank among Japan's most recognizable works of art. His woodblock prints garnered immense acclaim throughout his career, but his fame was assured for posterity with the publication of the captivating series titled, "36 Views of Mount Fuji."