Sarumaru Daiyu 1835

This woodblock print, “Sarumaru Daiyu,” was created by Katsushika Hokusai in Japan, showing a group of figures in a landscape setting. Look at the imagery of the journey—figures walking along a path carrying bundles. In Japanese art, this motif is not merely about physical travel, but signifies a deeper spiritual quest, a pilgrimage toward enlightenment. We can see echoes of this theme in countless artworks across cultures, from religious processions in medieval paintings to the wandering figures in Romantic landscapes. The act of carrying, of bearing a load, speaks to burdens, responsibilities, and the weight of existence. Think of the Greek myth of Atlas, condemned to carry the world on his shoulders. This symbolism taps into our collective subconscious, resonating with our own struggles and aspirations. The journey, then, becomes a metaphor for life itself—a path marked by challenges, transformations, and the enduring search for meaning. Hokusai masterfully captures this cyclical progression, reminding us that the human experience is a continuous voyage of self-discovery.