Fukagawa kiba (Fukagawa timber yards)

The riverside of Fukagawa was once bustling with lumber wholesalers, functioning as an important distribution center for timber used in construction in Edo. The lumber was stored in large water reserves connected by channels, as seen here.
In this serene snow scene, skilled workers known as kawanami stand on the logs, using special hooks to move and secure them. The winding channel and the projecting lumber form diagonal and vertical elements that create a rhythmic composition and convey a strong sense of depth. Particularly noteworthy is the umbrella in the foreground, bearing the inscription Uo, referring to Uoya Eikichi, the publisher of the series.