Hunting cherry blossoms

Having come for a day of leisure under the cherry blossoms, a young couple hurriedly rise to shield themselves from a sudden downpour. Inscribed in the clouds is an anonymous poem from the anthology Shūi wakashū (completed c. 1006), which imbues the print with classical associations. In a famous episode, the courtier poet Fujiwara Sanekata (d. 999) supposedly recited this poem while allowing his silken robes to become rain-soaked at a blossom viewing party—an act the other guests found to be startlingly elegant.
Sakuragari
ame wa furikinu
onajiku wa
nuru to mo hana no
kage ni kakuren
Hunting cherry blooms,
the rain comes tumbling down: but
all the same, even
if we get drenched, we may take
shelter in the flowers’ shade.
Harunobu incorporates subtly erotic undertones into the skillful composition. The two-lobed curves of the maiden’s sleeve arching gracefully over her head are echoed in the tree branches, clouds, and her lover’s curved back and tied-up outer robe. The young man holds out a stiffly protruding “snake eye” (janome) umbrella parallel to the embankment and to the red felt rug, and perpendicular to the driving rain and the traveler’s chest (hasamibako)—which was probably used to carry the rug and other furnishings for the picnic.