Nichiren in the Snow at Tsukahara on Sado Island (SashÅ« Tsukahara setchÅ«), from the series Sketches of the Life of the Great Priest (Kōsō goichidai ryakuzu) c. 1830 - 1835

Curator: Kuniyoshi's woodblock print, "Nichiren in the Snow at Tsukahara on Sado Island," from the series *Sketches of the Life of the Great Priest*, depicts the exiled priest against a backdrop of severe winter. Editor: It's stark, isn't it? That small red figure against all that white… immediately makes you feel how isolated he must have been. Curator: Indeed. The snow serves as a potent symbol here, representing both physical hardship and spiritual purification. Nichiren's exile to Sado Island marked a pivotal period of reflection. Editor: The little cluster of houses huddled by the sea looks so vulnerable, dwarfed by the landscape. You can almost feel the bite of the wind. Curator: It's an excellent example of Kuniyoshi's skill in using landscape to convey inner emotional states. The composition directs our attention to Nichiren’s resilience amidst adversity. Editor: A powerful piece. It reminds us that even in the harshest conditions, conviction can endure. Curator: Precisely. The enduring power of faith, etched in a winter landscape.