This is a work created when Hokusai was 52 years old. Around this time, he drew numerous book illustrations, of which this is one.

The scene is a view depicted from above. In the foreground, a few people and a horse are seen on the steep hill, their feet sinking into deep snow. Step by step, they lift each foot buried in the snow.

In the middle distance, many people and horses are also seen trudging through the snow. Farther away, a few houses are seen their roofs are covered with thick snow.

While observing the image we feel as though we are a part of the scene and only the sound of footsteps crunching through the snow can be heard.