This preparatory drawing depicts a woman and a man having sex beside a temple or shrine whilst on a pilgrimage. Both are dressed in traditional pilgrimage attire. The man’s wide-brimmed hat has fallen to the ground, while the woman’s hat rests beside her next to a water dipper used for ritual ablutions performed when visiting sacred sites.

The woman also wears a necklace strung with wooden ofuda plaques, protective and blessing-confering amulets produced and sold at shrines and temples.

In the background, a cuckoo bird is seen mid-swoop, a conventional seasonal motif signalling the arrival of summer.

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.