Ejiri in Suruga Province c. 1834 - 1837

This print, *Ejiri in Suruga Province*, was created by Hokumyō in the 1830s using woodblock printing. At first glance, the dominant symbol is the sudden gust of wind scattering papers across the landscape. These flying papers are not merely documents. They are potent symbols of disruption and the transient nature of life. Consider how similar symbols appear across cultures: the scattering leaves in classical allegories of autumn, or the whirlwind in ancient mythologies, often signifying chaos or divine intervention. The papers here echo the same psychological resonance, engaging our deep-seated fears of disorder. Look at the way these papers have evolved over time. In earlier periods, such a scene might have represented punishment or divine wrath; here, in Hokumyō’s rendering, the emotional impact is more ambivalent. We are left to ponder the fragility of our plans and the ever-present possibility of upheaval. This is the enduring power of symbols—how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across time.