Nakahara in de provincie Sagami 1831 - 1835

This woodblock print, "Nakahara in de provincie Sagami," was created by Katsushika Hokusai in Japan. The majestic Mount Fuji looms in the background, a symbol of strength, longevity, and spiritual significance. Fuji's iconic shape appears in countless works of art, but consider its deeper resonance. Mountains, as natural giants, have long been regarded as sacred spaces, the dwellings of gods, and the axis mundi connecting the earthly and divine. We see echoes of this in the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia, the pyramids of Egypt, and even the artificial mountains in classical gardens. The mountain stands as a testament to nature's enduring power. The emotional and psychological impact of such a symbol is profound; it elicits feelings of awe and reverence. And though cultures differ across time and space, this evocative symbolism remains, resurfacing in new contexts, and enriching our understanding of the human psyche.