Horse and Porter Suppy Station, Fujieda, from the series the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido (Hoeido edition)

Fitting for its subtitle “Changing Horses & Porters” is this scene at the  station’s wholesale market. Early in the morning it’s likely they are in the midst of making arrangements for cargo and palanquin transportation. At the wholesale market, station officials are giving orders to their subordinates. Samurai in formal wear and bookkeeping officials are having a meeting, and in the foreground porters are waiting for the cargo to be transferred.