Travelers and Hostesses at an Inn at Akasaka

In the middle of the picture is a courtyard with a sago palm and a stone lantern. Guest rooms stand open on its left and right, so the viewer peers into the rooms across the garden. The sago palm in the courtyard divides the rooms on the left and right, setting two scenes side by side in one picture. At the lower right the roof of the neighboring building peeks in, giving a viewpoint as though looking down from above. The pillars of the building and the lattices of the shoji screens are finely drawn, making the structure of the inn clear.

In the room on the left, a maid carries trays for two to a guest who is lying down at ease. Beside them a masseur talks to the guest. In the corridor stands a man with a hand towel over his shoulder, and people come down the staircase at the back. An andon lantern can also be seen in the back room.

In the room on the right, meshimori-onna (women who attended guests at an inn) face a mirror and prepare their makeup. Whereas the previous print, Goyu, depicted touting outside the inns, this Akasaka depicts the inside of an inn. Viewing the two together, one can trace the flow from catching customers on the highway to entertaining them at the inn. In the back of the right room, colorful kimono are hung.