Hachiman Tarō Yoshiie (1041-1108), also called Minamoto no Yoshiie, was held in deep awe by the imperial household and came to embody the spirit of the samurai: brave, loyal, honorable, and humble. The image here exemplifies his high level of culture and education, which would be of equivalent importance to samurai in centuries to follow. Yoshiie was purported to be a master of poetry, and this is how Yoshitoshi portrays him here. In 1062, Yoshiie and the rebel Abe Sadato had an exchange of renga, or linked poetry, in which Sadato proved his high level of literacy by referring to the poetic image of plum blossoms. Yoshitoshi has featured these delicate blossoms in this print, on the trees in the background and upper left.

The spirit of the Japanese warrior has its roots in Japans classical myths from as early as the 4th century. These tales featured characters of profound physical strength with a quick mind and fierce sense of dedication to the emperor or ruling clan. These prototypical warriors had impressive pedigrees, often linking them to Chinese royalty or even gods, and their ambitions and feats often exceeded the expectations of their forebears. While many of these characters can be seen as examples of extraordinary achievement and talent at an individual level, they are also celebrated for their selfless devotion to their families, clans, and masters. A number of warrior legends from this period involve an aggressive expulsion of rebels and barbarians from what was considered imperial land in an attempt to maintain the integrity of the ruling clan against external threats. During this era, Japanese notions of a tragic hero, or “loser-hero,” were created, an archetype defined as a warrior who suffers an inglorious death or defeat after a life spent winning and completing noble deeds.