 31 Maisaka
View of Imaki Point jutting out into the sea, and a white Fuji (without
outline) in the distance.
This station was a fishing port lying on the south-eastern edge of Lake
Hamana. The Lake Hamana and the Pacific Ocean meet at this point and travellers
had to cross this mouth of the lake by boats.
 32
Arai
A large ferry boat, with an awning round it, taking a daimyo
across from Maisaka, followed by a smaller boat with his retainers. A
high range of hills on the further shore; golden sky.
Travellers made the journey from Maisaka to Arai Station by ferryboat.
On the shore was a government barrier station for the inspection of travellers.
The compound remains largely intact even today.
 33
Shirasuka
View out to sea through a dip in the hill, at the foot of which a daimyo's
procession is passing; clumps of trees to right and left.
The view of the seascape from Shiomizaka Slope near this station was one
of the most picturesque of all the fifty-three stations, with the blue
Pacific Ocean framed by outreaching branches of pine trees. A long procession
of a feudal lord descends the hill towards Shirasuka Station.
 34
Futagawa
A low hill, covered with small cider trees; on the left at teahouse, at
which a traveller is taking refreshment, and three others approaching
it.
Because of the poor soil in this barren district,only small pine trees
and shrubs were able to grow. What relieved travellers from an otherwise
monotonous walk was a teahouse which sold refreshments and sweet rice
cakes.
 35
Yoshida
Bridge over the Toyo River, and in the right foreground workmen repairing
the castle.
This station flourished following the erection of the castle in 1505.
Here a bridge was allowed to be built over the river flowing west of the
station. The town has now grown to become Toyohashi City.
 36
Goyu
Main street of the village at nightfall and female touts dragging travellers
into the teahouse on the right, where one is already resting. The large
circle on the wall bears the sign of the publisher of the series, Take-no-Uchi.
On the signboard inside are given the names of the engraver, Jirobei;
the printer, Heibei; and the artist, Ichiryusai.
This station was lined with many inns and restaurants. The waitresses
were renowned for their persistence in trying to entice customers into
their shops.
 37
Akasaka
The courtyard of a resthouse, in the centre of which a sago-palm is growing;
on the left, guests being served with refreshments, and on the right,
geisha dressing up for their
performance.
Most male travellers enjoyed staying at this station for here in the entertainment
quarters they could find the friendliest hostesses of the entire trip.
Dinners are being served by a waitress and geisha girls are doing their
faces for the evening.
 38
Fujikawa
The head of a daimyo's procession
at the entrance to a village, and three peasants making obeisance as it
passes.
The most frequent user of the highway was the feudal lord with his retinue.
Commoners who came across the procession had to kneel down on the ground
to pay their respects and stay there until the procession had passed.
 39
Okazaki
A daimyo's cortège crossing
the bridge over the Yahagi River towards the village and castle on the
further bank; in the background a blue hill, printed from colour blocks
only.
Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, was born in the
castle shown in the prints. The bridge over the Yahagi River, flowing
west of the castle, was the largest on the entire highway.
 40
Chiryu
A number of horses tethered near a tree in the fields, where a fair is
held in the summer.
This area was noted for Japanese iris(kakitsubata). A famouse poet who
once passed by this vicinity adorned with irises composed a poem expressing
the loneliness of his long journey from Kyoto where his wife remained.
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