Army Rounding Hill in Snow c. 19th century

This woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige shows a group of warriors in procession, framed by the stark contrast of snow-covered landscapes and a vibrant sun. The most striking symbol here is the red sun. In Japanese art, the sun is not just a celestial body but a potent symbol of power, divinity, and the life force itself. It evokes Amaterasu, the sun goddess, central to Shinto beliefs, and is a recurring image in Japanese art across centuries. Think of the rising sun on the Japanese flag, a powerful emblem adopted in the 19th century during a period of rapid modernization. The motif of the sun, as a symbol of renewal, transcends cultures. We see echoes in ancient Egyptian depictions of Ra, the sun god, or even in Renaissance paintings where the sun might symbolize divine enlightenment. This image engages the viewer through the emotional symbolism of the sun that rises above the army as an emblem of vitality and dominance. It reminds us that symbols persist, evolve, and are continuously reinterpreted.