Fuji with Seven Bridges in One View (Shichikyō ichiran no Fuji): Half of detatched page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 2 Possibly 1835 - 1836

Editor: This is "Fuji with Seven Bridges in One View" by Hokusai, a woodblock print from his "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji" series. The monochrome and intricate lines give it such a unique feel! What symbolic weight do you think the seven bridges carry in relation to Mount Fuji? Curator: The bridges act as visual metaphors, linking the mundane world of labor and travel to the sacred peak. Bridges often symbolize transitions, connecting different realms or stages of life. Consider how the travelers, dwarfed by Fuji, are on a pilgrimage, both literal and spiritual. Editor: That makes so much sense. I hadn't thought about the bridge as representing a spiritual journey. Curator: Yes, and note how Fuji remains constant, a silent witness to the transient human activities below. It’s a reminder of enduring values amidst fleeting moments. Editor: I'll definitely look at Hokusai's work with a new perspective now. Curator: And hopefully, you'll carry that perspective forward!