The title shown on the original version is ‘Hanama no Fuji’ translated as ‘Fuji among flowers.’

For Japanese people cherry blossom viewing has always been one of the biggest events. Even in the modern era, people get excited as the information about blooms reaches 30 percent open, 50 percent, 80 percent, etc. As the country is long from south to north there is a word ’cherry blossom front’, describing where the areas of full bloom are moving. People’s emotional feelings change according to the fine or stormy weather, as the period of full bloom lasts only about a week.

Here the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and a group of people is enjoying a picnic. A woman is playing shamisen, while the others are chatting, eating and drinking. They are seated in one of the best spots to appreciate the magnificent view of Fuji.

In the foreground a man is pulling some food suspended by a rope, presumably prepared from the building on the other side of the river. Under the beautiful flowers, people are merry and playful, but mount Fuji towers calmly and peacefully in the background.

Hokusai depicted many details of people’s life using the entire space.