Hokusai’s Great Wave off Kanagawa

Hokusai’s Great Wave off Kanagawa (fig. 8-21) is an interesting exercise in scale, with the boatsmen and their crafts dwarfed by the scale and the immensity of the sea.  In the distance is Mt. Fuji, also dwarfed by the wave.  However, as the text tells us, the wave will collapse, while Fuji will remain.  This is significant, as it affirms the Japanese view that Mt. Fuji is everlasting, like Japan itself.  Compare this work to The Inlet of Nobuto by Hokusai (this image is not in the book -- you can find it below).  In this image, Mt. Fuji seems void of descriptive information.  Are other subjects in this image handled in a similar fashion? In each of these two works, what do you sense is the unifying theme?  Is this theme fundamental to Japanese Art?

" In this image, Mt. Fuji seems void of descriptive information.  Are other subjects in this image handled in a similar fashion?"

The image does not tell you much information.  However, the the people in this image do have information in a way.  You can see that they look hard at work.  They are not done.  Looking closer, it seems as if the people are divided into their own social classes.  Looks like maybe children are swimming,  Looks like there is a higher class lady and gentleman in the middle.  And the other are lower class people working for their living.  

"In each of these two works, what do you sense is the unifying theme?"

If I am right on dividing these people into social classes than the image of the Great Wave states that everything will come crashing down eventually.  The socail standards would change and come to an end.  Just like the Great Wave will rise to its peak and crash til it is even with the rest of the ocean.

"Is this theme fundamental to Japanese Art?"

Japanese art depicts nature and water and peace and even though I don't see peace in the images.  I think that was the point to get across.  To get peace.