In his prints Akiyama combines the fresh naivety of the Japanese folk art tradition, as well as its rough technique and hand-made paper, with the more sophisticated tradition of 'haiga', the union of sketches and 'haiku' poems. 'Haiku' are the succinct 17 syllable poems in which what is implied is more significant than what is stated. This print depicts a pilgrim climbing the snowy slopes of Mt. Fuji with the passage in the centre reading: "'Throughout life's journey, snow continues to fall' by Santôka." (Taneda SANTÔKA (1881-1940) was a free style Haiku poet). This print is most appealing in its balance of simple but bold shapes and calligraphy against the whimsical portrayal of the pilgrim.

Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 1986.