Two townswomen have travelled to Enoshima Island in Sagami Province to watch the first sunrise of the year. Their manservant is seated on the pole used to carry the two trunks, smoking a pipe.
For the association between Enoshima Island and the Year of the Snake see RP-P-1991-611.
The emblem of the Yomogawa not only appears on the bundle lying on the trunk, but is also on the headscarf of the lady to the right.
Three poems by Jungetsutei, Shimizu Masako [a member of the Gogawa], and Yomo no Utagaki Magao [1753 - 1829, Shikatsube Magao, pupil of Yomo Akara. Used the name 'Yomo' from 1796, when he became a judge of the Yomogawa. Alternative name Kyokado.
The three poets apparently agreed to refer ro crows, the traditional messengers of the sun. The designer, however, was apparently unhindered by this, unless the three people are actually looking at crows beyond edge of the image.
The first poem alludes to:
The wide scenery as the sun rises when making a pilgrimage on the Day of the Snake, even the crows rave at the bird-sky.
In the second poem, 'crows take delight in the flesh of the asari shells coming to the island [of Enoshima]'.
The third speaks of:
The cries of crows flying over the tortoises at the beginning of Spring are even louder than thoses of the cranes - this is Enoshima
- cranes and tortoises, both emblems of long life, are combined here with crows as the messengers of the sun.
Issued by followers of the poet Yomo Magao, 1809
Signature reading: Shinsai
