Mount Xuedou

original: "Xuedoushan"; literally "Snowy Crevice Mountain"

Feng original: "Feng"; the surname of the artist or woodblock carver

Landscape original: "shanshui"; literally "mountain and water"
Woodblock Print original: "muke banhua"

This sprawling illustration captures the majestic scenery of Mount Xuedou, located in present-day Fenghua, Zhejiang. Renowned as one of the sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism—specifically associated with the Maitreya Buddha—the mountain is depicted here through a masterful display of traditional woodcut techniques.

The composition includes several key features typical of the 17th-18th century topographical style:

• Atmospheric Perspective: Swirling clouds and mist a classic "shanshui" element representing the breath of nature weave between the rugged mountain peaks, creating a sense of height and spiritual mystery.
• Architectural Integration: Small pavilions and temple buildings are shown nestled within the deep valleys and along the ridges, illustrating the harmony between human spiritual practice and the natural world.
• Texture and Form: The artist, identified here by the signature Feng, utilizes sophisticated "texture strokes" known as "cun" in Chinese painting to give the cliffs their weathered, rocky appearance. Dense clusters of pine trees are scattered across the slopes, symbolized by rhythmic ink patterns.

Unlike the strategic, military focus of the previous illustration of Mount Zhaobao, this depiction of Mount Xuedou emphasizes the "famous mountain" mingshan tradition, where the landscape is celebrated for its beauty, its famous waterfalls, and its role as a destination for pilgrims and scholars alike.