Oi

In the center of the picture, two horses loaded with snow-covered cargo and travelers wrapped in straw capes and hats proceed up the slope with their backs to the viewer. Large snow-laden trees stand at left and right, and pine branches hang down from above.

The sky is painted gray, and falling snow is shown with white dots. The mountains are drawn only with outlines and pale gradations, so most of the picture is occupied by white and gray. Within it, the brown of the horses and the blue and yellow of the robes add a little warmth.

Oi was a post town in Mino, corresponding to today's Ena. Beyond it the road continues over mountainous ground toward Okute and Hosokute, and it was probably a hard stage for winter travelers. One honjin and one waki-honjin were placed there, and the post town is known for a layout in which the road turns at right angles several times.

This is by Hiroshige and is regarded as one of the masterpieces of snow scenes. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds three impressions, with differences in the sky gradation and the handling of snow. By not showing the travelers' faces and drawing only their backs, it conveys the weight of a journey silently advancing along a snowy road.