The Kanna River Crossing at Honjo Station

A narrow plank bridge crosses the center of the picture diagonally. People in hats, carrying loads and spears, cross it in a single line, and a red palanquin can also be seen in the middle. On the riverbank in the foreground travelers carrying loads walk toward the bridge, and at the far right a tall stone lantern stands.

The river is painted blue, and a white riverbed spreads widely. On the far bank can be seen a village of clustered houses and small boats, with reddish mountains rising beyond. By giving large space to the broad riverbed and mountains and drawing the line of people in fine detail, the picture conveys the breadth of the river.

The Kanna River flows along the border between Musashi and Kozuke provinces, and it is said that each flood washed away the route and travelers sometimes lost their way at night. So in 1815 (Bunka 12) a marker lantern was built on the Shinmachi-juku side. The lantern on the right is considered to be this sight-line lantern.

This is a print by Eisen, with the title written as "Shiso-ji no eki." It depicts Honjo, the last station of Musashi Province, and marks a break in the Eisen prints that had continued from the beginning of the series, with Hiroshige's prints starting from the next station, Shinmachi. Eisen went on to draw prints of Joshu, Shinshu, and Mino here and there afterward.