Utagawa Kunisada 歌川 国貞 (Toyokuni III)

The Japanese tradition of blossom viewing, or hanami, is depicted in this triptych of three women preparing for a party in the garden of a vast estate. The woman on the right carries a wooden box with food while the woman on the left bears a heavy cask of sake; both wear aprons to protect their beautiful garments. The woman in the middle is dressed in a furisode, a long-sleeved garment worn by the young. She holds a vessel to rinse sake cups in one hand and with the other hoists a shamisen to her shoulder. Such outings were and still are opportunities to gather and indulge in music, food, and drink.

The central figure is a geisha carrying a stringed musical instrument known as a samisen. The woman on the left bears a container, perhaps full of sake (Japanese rice wine), and the woman on the right appears to be holding a lacquered tray filled with food.