This preparatory drawing depicts a woman and a man of the noble class having sex on a balcony. Both are dressed in informal court attire known as noshi, with the man wearing a kariginu topped with an eboshi court hat, whilst the woman wears a layered kimono.

As this scene is set during the third lunar month, it likely depicts the tradition of hanami (flower-viewing), in which people go out to view the flowering cherry trees. Another possibility is that the scene represents the Hina doll festival, held on the third day of the third lunar month, when people arrange tiered altar displays featuring dolls and miniature furniture to wish for the health and happiness of girls. A Kyoto variant of these dolls, known as Yūsoku-bina, corresponds to the attire of the figures in this drawing. However, because this doll variant reflects the actual everyday dress of nobles, it is difficult to definitely identify the scene as representing the doll festival, though it may still have intentionally invoked the celebration in the minds of contemporary viewers who would have been familiar with it.

The drawing is annotated with instructions indicating the colours intended for the final painting, produced either for a painting album or hand scroll, offering insight into the artist’s design process and planned palette.