Teahouses on the Riverbank, 1811

Teahouses that fronted the Sumida River catered to both pedestrians on the streets and boaters on the river. This street scene features not only vendors, but also kabuki actors, courtesans, warriors, and common tourists taking in a little leisure. This is a good example of how the usual physical separations based on social distinctions tended to melt amid sakariba such as Ryôgoku.

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