The series Fifty-three Pairings for the Tokaido Road is a collection of 55 prints illustrating the 53 stations along the Tokaido, the road that connected the shogunate capital of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) with the imperial capital of Kyoto. This series incorporates depictions of each station, along with explanations of local legends, historical events, and notable features specific to each area. This collaboration was undertaken by three leading ukiyo-e masters of the 19th century: Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865), Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), and Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798–1861), all prominent artists from the Utagawa school.

Akasaka, the 36th station on the Tokaido, is situated in present-day Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture. This scene portrays a historical event from the Heian period, focusing on Fujiwara no Moronaga (1138–1192), a member of the powerful Fujiwara clan who lived during a time of intense political strife. Moronaga was exiled to Owari by Taira no Kiyomori (1118–1181), the leader of the Heike clan, which held military control over the government. One autumn day, Moronaga visited Mount Miyaji in the Akasaka area, where he played the biwa (a traditional Asian lute) while admiring the autumn leaves. A mysterious woman appeared, singing along to his music. Moronaga, finding the situation strange, suspected that she might be a supernatural being. The woman then revealed herself, saying, “I am the water deity of this mountain. Your biwa playing was so beautiful that I wished to sing with you.” This legend, in which a nature spirit appears to praise Moronaga’s music, is seen as symbolizing the stability of the Fujiwara clan, while also foreshadowing the downfall of their political rivals, the Heike clan. The story blends historical events with elements of myth, a common feature in Edo-period art and literature.