Drum Bridge and Yuhi Hill at Meguro

In the foreground a semicircular stone drum bridge spans the Meguro River, with people in straw raincoats and carrying umbrellas crossing it. The river winds into the distance, and the trees on both banks are covered with snow. The top of the slope at left is Yuhi Hill, lined with snow-covered trees, and snow keeps falling from the sky.

The grayish sky, white snow, and indigo river create a quiet palette. The arc of the bridge and the curve of the river answer each other, and by layering the snowy trees above and below the print conveys the height of the slope and the depth of the valley.

The drum bridge was a stone arch bridge at the foot of Gyonin Slope, said to have been completed in the 6th year of Meiwa (1769). Yuhi Hill ("Sunset Hill") was the name for the area around Gyonin Slope and was known as a place for autumn foliage. It was also on the route of people going to Meguro Fudo.

This print belongs to the winter section. Three other prints depicting Meguro were published in the same year ("Jijigachaya Teahouse at Meguro," "New Fuji, Meguro," and "Original Fuji, Meguro"), and they are thought to have been issued to coincide with the public display of the image at Meguro Fudo. The semicircular bridge wrapped in snow is cherished as especially beautiful even among the snow scenes of this series.