TOKAIDO GOJU-SAN-TSUGI c. 19th century

Editor: Hiroshige's "Tokaido Goju-san-tsugi" depicts a procession ascending a mountain path. I'm struck by how the red banners cut through the cool, muted tones. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: The red banners, snaking upwards, speak to transition, to a journey. They evoke a sense of both physical and spiritual passage. Do you notice how they echo the form of the mountain itself? Editor: Yes, a mirroring that suggests a deep connection to the landscape. A sense of harmony? Curator: Perhaps, but also of human endeavor against a formidable natural world. Each step resonates with cultural memory. What is carried forward? Editor: It’s fascinating to consider how these images carry layered meanings. Thanks!