Suruga Bank of the Oi River at Shimada

The picture is drawn from a viewpoint as if looking down on the Oi River from far above, so that everything from the near bank to the stream in the distance can be seen at once. In reality one could not see it from so high a place; this viewpoint was chosen to convey the breadth of the river.

On the river bank a daimyo procession has gathered, and palanquins, baggage, and horses head one after another toward the river. At upper left, porters carry customers on their shoulders and on rendai and have already started crossing the stream. The people are all the size of beans, yet their movements and belongings are distinguished.

The Oi River was the greatest obstacle on the Tokaido. With neither bridge nor ferry, when the water rose crossing was closed and travelers were held up for days. The title's Sungan means the Suruga-side bank, that is, the bank on the side of Shimada-juku. It forms a pair with the next print, Kanaya.

River crossing at the Oi continued until 1870 (Meiji 3), when boats were permitted on the river. At the bottom of the picture, pine branches peek in, making the distance to the faraway river bank felt all the more. The flow of the river is drawn in blue bokashi, in vivid contrast with the white sandbars. A band of black forest continues on the bank at right.