 21 Mariko
Two travellers having refreshment at a wayside teahouse, from which another
traveller has just departed, and a woman with a child on her back waiting
on them. Beside the teahouse grows a plum tree, just bursting into blossom
against the rosy sky; behind rises a grey hill tinted with brown.
Here, travellers enjoy grated yam broth, the local speciality, while appreciating
the green leaves and plum flowers of the early spring. Basho, the most
famous haiku poet in Japan, praised the scenery and the broth in one of
his haiku poems.
 22
Okabe
A mountain torrent rushing between steep banks and walled in on one side
by a stone embankment, along which people are passing. High peaks in the
background.
The road here was enclosed on both sides by steep hills covered with dense
forest and thick climbing ivy vines. This was considered one of the most
fearsome stretches of the highway.
 23
Fuji-jeda
Changing horses and coolies outside a resthouse.
A lively scene of a relay operation taking place under the supervision
of the station officials. An official of lower rank enters porterage fares
in a record book.
 24
Shimada
View looking down upon a wide bed of the Oi River, with people waiting
on its sand-banks to be taken across.
There was no bridge across the Oi River and travellers had to cross it
in a variety of ways as is shown in the picture. It became difficult to
cross when heavy rain turned the river into fierce, raging rapids.
 25
Kanaya
Beyond the wide sandy flats of the river, across which a daimyo's
cortège is being carried, rises a jumble of foot hills, in a crevice of
which nestles a village. In the background a high range of curiously hump-shaped
mountains, printed in graded black from colour-blocks only; golden sky
at the top.
A panoramic view of the landscape accentuates the expansive flat plain
of the dry river bed. A variety of travellers attempt to wade across the
river with the help of porters.
 26
Nissaka
A very steep yellow road in a mountainous district, and at the foot of
it people examining a large rock, marking the spot where a murder was
committed.
Travellers look inquisitively at the popularly called "Night weeping stone"
lying on the road. Legend has it that the stone called out to a priest
to rescue a child from its dying pregnant mother who had been attacked
by bandits at night.
 27
Kakegawa
Travellers crossing a high trestle-bridge over the Kake River, two of
them peering into the water below, and behind a small boy watching a kite
up in the air, while beyond another, with broken string, flutters to earth.
Peasants transplanting rice in the flooded fields, and in the distance
Mount Akiba rising above the mists.
A shrine standing on the top of a mountain near this station attracted
worshippers from all over Japan who came to pray for protection against
the calamity of fire. An old couple of travellers are struggling against
a strong wind as they toil to cross the arched bridge. A naughty boy is
following them with a mocking gesture.
 28
Fukuroi
Coolies resting by a wayside shelter, while a large kettle, hung from
the branch of a tree, is boiling; a woman stirs the fire, while a coolie
lights his pipe at it. Close against the tree stands a road direction
post, and on the right is a bird perched upon a wayside noticeboard; behind
are rice fields, at the edge of which stands the village.
In this vicinity the highway passed through desolate fields and it was
uncomfortable to journey along during the summer months. However, this
district was renowned for its strong winds in winter when kite flying
was a popular local pastime.
 29
Mitsuke
A large sand-bank in the centre of the "Heaven-dragon" River,
and people crossing the further arm in boats; two other boats in foreground,
moored to the sand-bank, and the distant shore enveloped in mist.
The name of this station was derived from the fact that people travelling
from Kyoto to Edo were able to get their first glimpse of Mount Fuji from
here. The rapidly flowing river "Tenryu" flowed west of the station and
travellers had to cross the river by ferryboat.
 30
Hamamatsu
A party of coolies warming themselves by a bonfire beside a large tree,
a traveller, with a pipe in hand, looking on, and a peasant woman carrying
a child on her back, approaching from the right. Bare, flat rice-fields,
across which stand the castle and village in the background.
This plate depicts a wintry rural scene on the outskirts of Hamamatsu
Station. The village and Hamamatsu Castle are visible in the distance.
Hiroshige always depicted travellers and local people appropriate to the
landscape and setting.
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