[1] In the early Edo period, the system of post stations on the Nakasendō was formalized by the Tokugawa shogunate in 1602.
The route between Ōkute-juku and Mitake-juku was long and the terrain was difficult, crossing the Biwa-toge Pass, so another post station was established as a resting spot in-between in 1610.
The temple of Kaigen-in, the bodaiji of the Toki clan, the shugo of Mino Province in the Muromachi period is located nearby, Per the 1843 "中山道宿村大概帳" (Nakasendō Shukuson Taigaichō) guidebook issued by the Inspector of Highways (道中奉行, Dōchu-būgyō), the town had a population of 256 people in 65 houses, including one honjin, one waki-honjin, and 24 hatago.
The print depicts travelers climbing or descending a steep slope, with paddy fields and a range of mountains in the distance.
To the left , with only the upper half of his torso in view is a man with two bags, and the post station in the distance.