No.Fujisawa 1847 - 1852

This is Utagawa Hiroshige’s woodblock print, No.Fujisawa. Here, under the cloak of night, we observe travelers resting in Fujisawa. The lanterns, scattered throughout this bustling night scene, are not mere light sources. They are ancient symbols illuminating not just the physical space, but also the deeper recesses of the human spirit. Consider the lantern – a beacon in the darkness. Its form echoes in the sanctuary lamps of medieval churches, guiding lost souls. In ancient Greece, similar flames danced in the Eleusinian Mysteries, promising enlightenment. This motif resurfaces time and again, a testament to our collective yearning for guidance. Like moths drawn to a flame, we are psychologically drawn to its glow, seeking warmth and recognition in its effulgence. The cyclical journey of symbols intrigues me. How they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings. This print reminds us that even in the most quotidian scenes, ancient symbols quietly resonate, touching our souls in ways we barely understand.