One Hundred Famous Views of Edo No.24New miniature Mt. Fuji at Meguro

At the southwestern edge of Yodobashi terrace and to the northwest of Chiyogasaki was a place pointed like a lance (yari) called Yarigasaki point. Being skirted by the Meguro River below, it commanded magnificent views with Mt. Fuji in the background.
A warrior who was also a famous explorer and a man of fine taste loved this place so much that he moved his residence here from the centre of the city.
In the compound he established a huge garden with plenty of trees and even a waterfall whose water was drawn from an irrigation ditch close by. In 1819, he also built a miniature Mt. Fuji 15 metres tall and named it New Mt. Fuji because there was already a similar one in the neighbourhood to the northwest.
During the Edo period, Mt. Fuji, being the tallest and most beautiful mountain in Japan, was considered the most sacred of all mountains in the country and was worshipped by many people. Many organizations were formed by Mt. Fuji worshippers to send pilgrims to the mountain. Those who were unable to join the pilgrimage for some reason or other, such as old men, women and children, satisfied themselves by climbing the miniature Mt. Fujis built in many parts of Edo city.
Hiroshige has drawn one of these lying in the grounds of the warrior mentioned above. A few people follow the zigzagging path up the slope. On the top are three people who are enjoying the view of the real Mt. Fuji.
At the foot flows the Mita Irrigation Channel, on the banks of which are cherry trees in full bloom. Some people are enjoying the cherry blossoms and beautiful scenery next to the river.