Station 17 -- Satta Pass, Yui (Yui, Satta-mine), from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō gojÅ«san-tsugi no uchi) c. 1855

Editor: Here we have Hiroshige’s woodblock print, "Station 17 -- Satta Pass, Yui," from his "Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō" series. The steep cliffside path feels both precarious and inviting. What do you find most compelling about this particular station? Curator: Oh, the romantic tension! Hiroshige invites us to contemplate the smallness of humanity against the backdrop of nature's grandeur. It is a journey through life itself, isn't it? The travelers below, the endless sea, Mount Fuji lurking…it's all part of the same pilgrimage. Editor: I see what you mean. It's as if each element is carefully chosen to evoke a sense of journey, both physical and spiritual. Curator: Exactly. Each print in the series is like a meditation on impermanence and the beauty found in transient moments. It's a gentle reminder to breathe it all in. Editor: Well, I'll definitely be contemplating those transient moments a bit more on my walk home today. Curator: Wonderful! Isn't it amazing how art can seep into our daily lives like that?