Actual View of Arashiyama Mountain c. 1840

"Actual View of Arashiyama Mountain" is an image made by Matsukawa Ryūchin. The Arashiyama mountain in Japan presents a serene landscape, but it’s also a place of cultural and historical importance. The mountain has long been celebrated in Japanese art and literature. Ryūchin’s personal experiences and beliefs are deeply intertwined with the subject. Ryūchin, like many artists, would have been influenced by the political and cultural movements of his time, and his experiences would have shaped his artistic vision and representation of the mountain. What strikes me most is how this artwork serves not only as a visual record but also as a repository of cultural memory and identity. It reflects a shared understanding of place and its significance. It is an invitation to explore the ways in which our identities are shaped by the landscapes we inhabit and the stories we tell about them.