A beautiful woman leans against a pillar, engrossed in a letter, in this print by Toyokuni. Cool May rain falls around her and, almost not noticing it, she continues to read, one foot over another in a pose that suggests she is truly lost in thought. The fact that we can see leaves hanging from the eaves suggests that it may be the night before Tango no Sekku (Boys' Day, held on May 5), when bundles of Japanese iris were hung under the eaves.

The colourful layers of the woman's kimono are eye-catching, and her hairline has been very finely printed. This print was one of a series of twelve prints by Toyokuni, each representing a different month.