Omiya yado Fuji enkei (no.50) 1842

This woodblock print by Keisai Eisen captures a scene along the Tōkaidō road, featuring Mount Fuji in the distance. Dominating the composition is Fuji, a symbol deeply woven into the Japanese psyche. Revered as sacred, it embodies aspirations for longevity and the sublime. Consider the mountain's recurring presence in art across millennia. Think of the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia, or the pyramids of Egypt; all evoke a striving towards the heavens, an attempt to bridge the earthly with the divine. Like the pyramids, Mount Fuji is a symbol of cultural and national identity. It resonates with shared experiences, embedding itself in the collective unconscious. The mountain and the cherry trees engage viewers on a subconscious level, tapping into deeply rooted cultural and emotional memories. Like the eternal recurrence of myths, symbols like Mount Fuji undergo metamorphosis across eras, resurfacing with altered yet recognizable forms. They carry with them echoes of the past, influencing our perception of the present.