Snow at Miyajima Shrine c. 1930s

Here, Hasui Kawase presents a woodblock print of the iconic Miyajima Shrine. The vermillion torii gate, a symbol of the transition from the mundane to the sacred, stands in the sea, framed by snow-laden branches. The torii's symbolic presence resonates through time, echoing the archways of ancient Rome, which marked not only physical boundaries but also transitions in power and status. We also find its echo in Christian art with the arch that frames the divine event of the Annunciation, signaling sacred space. In Kawase's print, the torii under snow evokes a sense of purity and stillness, inviting contemplation. It appeals to our collective memory, stirring a deep, perhaps subconscious, longing for connection to something beyond ourselves. This gate is not just a structure but a profound expression of cultural continuity. It has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings, each time offering a passage to the sublime.