Miyajima in de provincie Aki c. 1825

This woodblock print titled, *Miyajima in de provincie Aki*, was created by Utagawa Kunisada. It presents a serene landscape dominated by the iconic floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. This gate, seemingly suspended between the earthly realm and the divine, symbolizes the transition from the mundane to the sacred. The torii's form echoes across cultures, reminiscent of the archways of ancient Rome. The arch symbolizes triumph and passage, and similar forms appear in various contexts, from Indian temple gateways to the arches of Renaissance Europe. The motif represents a threshold—a powerful, almost universally understood symbol of transition and change. Consider the emotional resonance of a gate suspended on water, suggesting a journey of purification and renewal, engaging viewers on a deeply psychological level. The torii gate motif has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts, maintaining its symbolic power across the ages.