Priest Saigyo Contemplating Mount Fuji c. 1770s

Kitao Shigemasa created this woodblock print of Priest Saigyo contemplating Mount Fuji. Fuji, the lone mountain, pierces the horizon, connecting the terrestrial and celestial realms. Note Saigyo's humble staff. This simple tool, this "motte," is not merely a support; it’s a symbol of pilgrimage and spiritual seeking, an emblem of those who wander in search of enlightenment. Recall the staffs carried by figures in ancient Greek and Roman art, such as Hermes' caduceus, entwined with snakes, a symbol of balance, wisdom, and healing. Consider, too, the staff of Moses, an object of divine power and leadership, capable of parting seas. The echo of these iconic staffs resonates through Shigemasa's work, engaging our collective memory, reminding us of the universal human quest for meaning and connection with the divine. It's a reminder that the journey of the seeker is never solitary; it is imbued with the weight of history and the shared longing of humanity.