This is a well-used and somewhat worn monochrome Japanese 'uchiwa-e' (rigid fan print). Hiroshige's design reveals the growing fascination with food and other regional products that accompanied the increase in travel during the Edo period (1615-1868). It shows seven kinds of foodstuff associated with particular post-stations along the Tokaido Highway. From top to bottom and right to left they are: 'Seto no Someii', yellow-dyed rice from Seto (near Fujieda, the 22nd post-station); 'Abekawamochi', rice cakes from Abekawa (near Fuchu, the 19th post-station); 'Kuwana no Yakihamaguri', baked clams from Kuwana (42nd post-station); 'Kusatsu Ubagamochi', rice cakes from Kusatsu (52nd post-station); 'Mariko no Tororojiru', grated yam soup from Mariko (20th post-station); 'Koyoshida no Sushi', sushi from Koyoshida (Yoshida, the 34th post-station); and 'Omi Gengorobuna', carp from Omi (Otsu, the 53rd post-station).