Mariko 1855

This woodblock print, made by Utagawa Hiroshige, depicts a scene from the series *Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido*, capturing daily life along the road. Notice the prominent mountain in the background, it is more than a geographical feature. In Japanese art, mountains often symbolize permanence, stability, and a connection to the divine, deeply rooted in Shinto beliefs where mountains are sacred entities. The image of the mountain resonates with similar symbolic uses in Western art, such as in the Renaissance. In the 15th century, mountains became a symbol of stability and eternity, as can be seen in the background of Leonardo da Vinci's *Mona Lisa*. This motif transcends cultural boundaries, reflecting a collective human perception of mountains as symbols of strength and enduring presence. The mountain, like memory itself, resurfaces across time, carrying layers of meaning.