Two women on their way to a shrine, one carrying a baby, the other holding a framed votive picture, ema, depicting two fox-masks, one gold, the other silver. To the right, a young boy holding a banner. The shrine precincts can be seen in the background.
This refers to the custom of visiting a shrine 30 days after a baby's birth. The kimono of the woman carrying the ema has been decorated with the recurring character `Manji', for the Manjiren, as well as the symbol identified with its leader, the poet Manzo, shaped as a stylised elephant (Jp.: zo).
Number Twelve - The Shrine Visit, Juni - Miyamairi, from the series The Rats' Wedding - A Series of Twelve Prints, Nezumi no yomeiri - Junimaitsuzuki.
Two poems by Nezame Yasuki [later just Nezame], and Shinratei Manzo [I, 1754-1809, firsts pupil of Hiraga Gennai, taking the name Furai Sanjin II; later, from the 1780s, taking the names Morishima Churyo and Manzotei].
The poem by Yasuki assures us that:
It is good to visit a shrine on the 1st Day of the Horse in the Seventh Month.
Issued by the Manjiren
Signature reading: Hishikawa Sori ga
