The painting on this issue’s cover, Rocky Mountain Landscape (1870), by Albert Bierstadt (1830–1902), captures the majesty and grandeur of one of America’s most iconic natural wonders. Celebrated for his majestic landscapes of the American West, Bierstadt traveled extensively through the Rocky Mountains during the 19th century, creating luminous landscapes that conveyed both the beauty and vastness of the frontier.
In Rocky Mountain Landscape, towering peaks rise above forests and open valleys, bathed in radiant light. Bierstadt’s masterful use of color and atmosphere invites viewers to pause and reflect on the power and serenity of the natural world. His paintings helped shape Americans’ appreciation for Western landscapes and remain among the most celebrated images in American art.
The Rocky Mountains also hold special significance in the history of American kosen-rufu. On June 8, 1996, Ikeda Sensei received an honorary doctorate of education from the University of Denver—his first honorary doctorate from a North American university.
As the World Tribune begins its series commemorating the 30th anniversary of Sensei’s 1996 visit to the United States, Bierstadt’s painting serves as a fitting cover image. Like the Rocky Mountains that inspired Sensei’s words in Denver, it evokes steadfast conviction, expansive vision and infinite hope for the future.
—Prepared by the World Tribune staff
June 19, 2026 World Tribune, p. 12
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