One Hundred Famous Views of Edo No.27Japanese apricot garden at Kamata

Kamata is located between Shinagawa station and Kawasaki station on the Tokaido Highway. It was home to the proprietor of a famous chemist shop which sold medicine for colds. Taking into account that his family was descended from one living at a place called ‘the apricot tree’ in the province of Omi, he put up a signboard showing the apricot tree outside of his shop. In addition, he planted thousands of the trees in his one hectare garden. Having found that the soil was suitable for growing the tree, villagers also planted the trees in their gardens, both front and back. Around May, apricots were picked and pickled by the villagers. These pickled apricots were not only sold to travellers on the highway but also taken to Edo city for sale.
The tiny white, pink and red flowers which blossomed in February were the first blossoms that appeared after the cold winter, and the flowers gave off a beautiful fragrance. Due to these factors, apricot-flower viewing had been a very popular custom with Japanese people since ancient times. During the season, they would go to gardens to enjoy viewing the flowers and appreciate the fragrance while drinking sake.
This print shows the apricot garden owned by the abovementioned proprietor, which was the most famous in the neighbourhood. It attracted people from Edo city, travellers on the highway and even pilgrims on their way back from the Kawasaki Daishi Temple. Some visitors are strolling through the densely planted trees while others are having a rest at straw-roofed huts built in the garden. On the right in the foreground is half of a palanquin used by one of the visitors. Inside is laid a cushion so that the passenger may travel comfortably.