Since the tenth century in Japan one of the most important subjects in secular painting has been the twelve months of the year, depicting the typical or most representative events of each. This album from the late seventeenth century consists of twelve paintings that describe festivals or special events integral to the lives of Kyoto citizens.

This scene, representing the ninth month, includes court ladies admiring chrysanthemums, the flowers of the season, while indoors others enjoy a party in front of a small table set up for the dolls' festival. The event, known today as the girls' festival, has been celebrated on March 3 ever since the date was changed in the early eighteenth century. The autumnal celebration of the dolls helps to date this charming album to the late seventeenth century. These images serve not only as testimonials to the long-lasting tradition of genre painting in Japan but also as valuable historical records of Japanese life.