Kisokaidô: Warabi - Station 02

Warabi is located beyond the Toda-gawa river, known today as Arakawa river. It is one of Tokyo's main rivers and was used as the northern natural line of defense of Edo castle and this is why there is no bridge and only a ferry to cross. It is evening and the red gradation of the setting sun can be seen over the horizon line. On board the ferry is a motley band of travelers: a pair of crouching itinerant blind women (1) or goze (blind women travelling and playing music on shamisen, a three-stringed Japanese plucked instrument), three travellers wearing sedge hats (2), a man and his horse (3) and a porter in the bow enjoying a smoke (4). A single boatman (5) propels the craft and two herons lazily take off. On the far bank, travelers await the arrival of the ferry and one can see the roofs of the station (6) at the top of the slope.

The print bears the signature 渓斎画 and the seals of Hoeido (保永 - 竹内). In later impression, the Eisen's signature is removed and the setting sun is paler, giving a much flatter print.

(Source: The 69 stations of the Kisokaido, Sebastian Izzard, Brazillier 2008)