This nishiki-e is the work of Utagawa Yoshitsuya II (another name: Ichiei-sai; date of birth and date of death unknown). It was published in Meiji 6 (1873). What is the story behind these pretty rabbits?  The answer is a speculative boom. 

At the end of the Edo period and the beginning of the Meiji era when Japan resumed diplomatic and trade relations with the countries of the West, many exotic plants and animals were brought into Japan. Among them were rabbit of foreign breeds with strange markings and coloring. From Meiji 5 to Meiji 7 (1872-74), rabbit breeding became very popular in Osaka and Tokyo, and lots of rabbit shows and rabbit markets were held. Above all, the calico (tortoiseshell) rabbit was in demand and sold for ridiculously high prices -- as much as the price of a house. Just as in the "Tulip Bubble" in Holland during the 1630s, people rushed into rabbit breeding as a speculation. Lots of nishiki-e introducing famous rabbit breeders, rabbit breeds, and their owners and addresses, were published. 

But because the rabbit trade increasingly attracted crime and became a serious social problem, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government brought in regulations requiring traders to notify the authorities of their rabbit dealings and every month to pay one yen tax per rabbit. Thus burst the"Rabbit Bubble." 

Meiji 5 (1872) is the year in the middle of the "civilization and enlightenment" when gas lamps were lit in Yokohama, the railroad between Shinbashi and Yokohama started operations, in the adjustment that followed the adoption of the solar calendar, December 3 became January 1 of Meiji 6. It was a time of rapid change and turmoil in the political and social systems, and a lot of people staked their hopes of becoming millionaires on these pretty little bunnies.