Framed from a birds eye perspective we see at the lower right the ferry making it’s way across the Arakawa River (As the Sumida was known in its upper reaches). It’s main function was to transport passengers to the Zenko-ji Temple, partially shown under the title cartouche. This was normally a quite area in the far north of the Edo area, except for the periodic 60-day unveiling of the image of Amida at the temple, then it is fun and games for 60 days. This occurred at 17 year intervals, but sometimes more often. In the center, rafts of lumber are being polled upstream against the current. Differences in printing occured after the first edition was printed. While this is an early printing here are some differences from the first printing:
In title cartouche the lower blue cloud replaces a red cloud. The boats were slighter redder shade also. The outbuildings in the temple area - here with yellow roofs and walls all one color, originally roofs were deep yellow and doors brown. Here the bokashi (shading) of the deep Prussian blue is a little less, mostly along the far shore line of the river.