Boating party under Ryogoku Bridge

A tobacco set and long pipe protrude from the cover of an open umbrella in a boat below the Ryogoku Bridge. The tilted umbrella screens the occupant or occupants of the boat from view. Perhaps a geisha or a prostitute from one of the unlicensed quarters of Edo is enjoying the cool breeze of a summer evening on the Sumida River with a client. After the official opening with fireworks at Ryogoku Bridge the river was full of crafts of pleasure seekers for the duration of the season.