The blooming of cherry blossoms marks the transition from Japan's cold winter to the warmer spring season. This period is celebrated with hanami gatherings, where family and friends enjoy picnics beneath the blossoms. 'Flower viewing' dates back to the Nara period (710–794), when members of the imperial court would convene under the trees to admire the changing season. These occasions often included composing poetry, drinking sake, and celebrating the ephemeral beauty of nature, a practice that remains deeply ingrained in present day hanami.

This series Mirroring the Flowering Manners and Customs combines traditional Japanese customs and Western influences, with present-time Meiji period etiquette described in the large cartouche.