One Hundred Famous Views of Edo No.39A distant view of Azuma Bridge and Kinryuzan (Sensoji Temple)

The ultimate in amusement for wealthy Edo people and samurai warriors was to hire a roofed boat and go on an excursion up and down the Sumida River. It goes without saying that the main purpose of the excursion was to enjoy the scenery along the river. However, additional amusements to be had were drinking sake, eating good food while being attended by geisha and singing songs. The musical accompaniment was the samisen, a three-stringed musical instrument played by the geisha.
In the Edo period, there were two kinds of roofed boats. One is yakatabune, or houseboat, which was a large vessel with a house-like structure on it. This was for the use of lords or warriors. Another was yanebune, or roofed boat, which was a small boat with screens around it. In summertime, the screens were made of reed and in wintertime they were made of paper. This boat was for the use of wealthy merchants.
One such boat is depicted in the foreground of this print. Below the roof with a folded reed screen under its eaves, the back part of a geisha can be seen. Probably this boat was hired by a wealthy merchant.
Numerous petals from cherry trees planted on the east bank of the Sumida River are wafting through the air. No doubt this boat brought its guests, accompanied by geisha, to enjoy the splendid view of the trees.
Azuma Bridge can be seen further downstream, and beyond the bridge is Mt. Fuji, whose peak is still covered with snow because the season is spring. On the right bank of the river lies Asakusa town with, Kinryuzan (Sensoji) Temple in its centre. The famous five-storied pagoda is jutting into the sky. Various attractions of interest developed in the area of the temple, for example a temple town, tradesman’s town, amusement centre, kabuki theatre, and boisterous licensed quarters.