Yatsumi Bridge (Yatsumi no hashi), Number 45 from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei) Possibly 1856 - 1858

Editor: This is Utagawa Hiroshige's "Yatsumi Bridge," from his "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" series. The scene feels so serene, almost dreamlike. What kind of symbolism do you see embedded in this image? Curator: Notice how the weeping willow dominates the foreground, obscuring and revealing the bridge and Mount Fuji beyond. The willow, often associated with farewells and the ephemeral nature of beauty, juxtaposes with Fuji, a symbol of permanence. What does this interplay suggest about Edo's changing landscape? Editor: Perhaps it’s about the transient nature of daily life against the backdrop of enduring landmarks. Thanks, I hadn't considered the contrast between the willow and Mount Fuji before!