The Eight Views of Omi were first thought to have been written by Konoe Masaie in 1500. Kanoe found similarities in the scenery around Lake Biwa (Shiga, near Kyoto) to the Chinese Lake Dongting area which was depicted in the "Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers". The surrounding landscape of Lake Dongting (Hunan Province, China) where the Xiao and Xiang rivers merge was first painted by Song Di in the 11th century. The titles of the eight paintings were: "Wild Geese Descending to Sandbar", "Returning Sails off a Distant Coast", "Mountain Market in Clearing Mist", "River and Sky in Evening Snow", "Autumn Moon over Dongting Lake", "Night Rain on the Xiao and Xiang", "Evening Bell from Mist-Shrouded Temple" and "Fishing Village in Evening Glow". The masterpiece by Song di inspired many generations of poets and artists in China as well as in Japan. Countless Japanese versions of "Eight Views" have followed since then. Hiroshige (Ando) depicted the "Eight Views of Omi" in Ukiyo-e many years later. Increased numbers of travelers who were eager to view the famous cherry blossoms, moon light, etc. were seen as a result. It stimulated tourism in many regions.

The "Eight Views of Omi" shown on this fukusa are: "Evening Snow at Mt. Hira", "Descending Geese at Katada", "Night Rain at Karasaki", "Evening Bell at Miidera (Temple Mii)", "Sunset Glow at Setta River", "Clearing Mist at Awazu", "Returning Sails at Yabase" and "Autumn Moon at Ishiyama-dera(temple)". Murasaki Shikibu was said to have prepared to write the "Tale of Genji" while she was in Ishiyama-dera.

This fukusa has Hikone castle in the center. The castle was not a part of the Eight Views of Omi with one simple reason that it did not exist at the time when the poems were first written in 1500. Also, castles at the time (pre Edo period) were garrisons in the fields rather than the residence of feudal lords. Hikone Castle which was built by Lord Ii in 1611, Tensukaku (main tower with residence) has been attached. It somehow escaped from being demolished in the beginning of Meiji period (1868-1912) when many other castles were destroyed. It is named as a National Treasure today.

This type of fukusa is a cover placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony, such as the "Yui-noh", which is held prior to a wedding or other celebratory occasion. The boats (on the left lower part) by the long bridge may indicate the beginning of a long, unknown voyage (or life in general) for a couple. It would have been very appropriate for the New Year's ceremony. For the couching embroidery, silver wrapped threads were used instead of gold (silver tarnished to dark gray). The tassels are made out of silk and gold wrapped threads. This type of fukusa was made from the mid Edo to Meiji period and was almost nonexistent after the Taisho period, early 1900s.