One Hundred Famous Views of Edo No.16Dangozaka slope and flower garden at Sendagi

Sendagi literally means “1,000 packhorse loads of wood”. Being located on Hongo Terrace to the north of Edo city, the hills in this area were thickly covered with trees and were said to produce 1,000 packhorse loads of firewood daily, t thus the name.
On a slope of one of the hills once stood a teahouse selling delicious dango, a type of dumpling, to visitors and the slope was thus named Dangozaka. It commanded a splendid view of the surrounding district. One could even observe the sea off Shinagawa station in the distance far to the south.
On top of the hill was hanayashiki, meaning “flower garden”. In this neighbourhood lived many gardeners, and each year in September they proudly exhibited chrysanthemum flowers which they had cultivated with loving care. Especially on this occasion, the garden was thronged with innumerable visitors.
Around the garden stood many teahouses and restaurants. Visitors to the hill could have light meals at one of the eating establishments. In this print, Hiroshige sketches restaurants standing atop the hill. Some of the guests are looking out of the windows to enjoy the view of cherry blossoms in full bloom at the foot of the hill. In order to emphasize the height of the hill and the distance to the pond, Hiroshige has drawn clouds hanging between the foot and the top of the hill. The insertion of clouds thus in the scenery was a traditional means to distinguish the foreground from the background view.
Between the hill and Nezugongen Shrine to the south was a pond. Many cherry trees were planted around the pond and visitors to the shrine came to enjoy the cherry blossoms. This print shows visitors enjoying cherry-blossom viewing. Some are walking under the white and pink flowers and some are relaxing on benches placed under the trees where people were able to better appreciate the beauty of the flowers.