Processional of pilgrims 1877

Shibata Zeshin made this woodblock print of a pilgrim procession in nineteenth century Japan. The print captures a moment of cultural significance: the rise in popularity of pilgrimages as a form of spiritual tourism among the working classes. Notice how the artist directs our gaze upwards, emphasizing the arduous climb, and the communal nature of the journey. The red backpacks are a marker of identity. Woodblock prints, like this one, were significant because they made art more accessible to a wider public and this one offers a glimpse into the lived experience of ordinary people in Japan, at that time. To fully understand this work, it’s important to consider its historical context. Examining travel guides, religious texts, and social commentaries from the period can reveal the motivations and cultural meanings associated with pilgrimages in nineteenth century Japan. The role of the art historian is to connect this work with the social and institutional conditions that made it possible.