De beklimming van den Fuji-yama De Aarde en haar Volken, 1907

The book opens with a reverent portrait of Fuji‑yama, the mountain that has long been the heart of Japanese pilgrimage and poetry. Through lyrical passages it conveys how the volcano’s ever‑changing silhouette—shrouded in mist one day, gilded by sunrise the next—has inspired countless prayers and verses that bind the nation’s spirit to its peaks. The author weaves folklore, ancient rites, and the quiet awe of travelers who seek the crater’s sanctuary, setting a tone that feels both scholarly and deeply personal.

From this cultural foundation the narrative shifts to a European couple’s own plan to ascend Fuji in late summer. Their journey begins in bustling Yokohama, where cramped train compartments and unfamiliar customs hint at the challenges ahead. As they load their modest baggage and watch the landscape transform from sweltering heat to alpine chill, the story promises a vivid encounter with the mountain’s majesty and the delicate balance between outsider curiosity and native devotion.