A View of Cherry Blossoms at the New Yoshiwara: a Five Panel Picture

In this unusual five-sheet design, Toyokuni depicts the annual parade of high-ranking courtesans through the main street of the New Yoshiwara pleasure district. For the occasion, fully grown blossoming cherry trees were transplanted into raised beds on the main thoroughfare in the central district of Nakanocho. The far right sheet includes the Great Gate, which was the only official entry or exit to the district. The most prominent figures in the parade are the elaborately dressed courtesans flanked by their personal retinues, which include prepubescent girls who acted as assistants and teenagers in training to be courtesans. Well-dressed male clients, who came to witness the event and view the beauties on parade, as well as numerous workers of the establishments are also shown in amusing detail.