One Hundred Famous Views of Edo No.34Night scene of Matsuchiyama hill and Sanya moat

North of Asakusa was situated a hill called Matsuchiyama, the top part of which was partially levelled. The excess dirt was used to build a bank to act as a levee in case of floods. The bank was extended from the base of the hill away from the Sumida River in a northwesterly direction for a distance of 1,500 metres. Almost in the middle and on the south side of the bank was located the famous licensed quarters of New Yoshiwara. Along the north of the bank a little stream flowed into the river. The stream was rather like a moat and was called Sanyabori, meaning “Sanya moat”. Across the moat spanned a bridge called Imado.
In the night scene of this print, Matsuchi hill is viewed from the other side of the Sumida River and Sanyabori is on its right. At the mouth of the moat stand restaurants lit by candlelight where guests are most probably enjoying the company of geisha.
Many people intending to go to the licensed quarters for to enjoy the nightlife would come by a small and fast boat, called a choki, with a capacity of two or three passengers. This boat was also suitable for those who wished to visit the quarters without being seen. They landed at the mouth of the moat and proceeded to the quarters on foot or in a palanquin. In this print, some of the boats in question are seen on the river.
In the dark foreground stands a cherry tree, under which walks a geisha preceded by a man with a lantern. It is said that she was modelled upon Hiroshige’s favourite geisha. She was drawn here in association with the delightful restaurants and licensed quarters on the opposite side of the river.