Yamato Takeru was a legendary Japanese prince and the first example of the Japanese "loser-hero" archetype, defined loosely as a man of great strength and bravery who dies tragically after achieving a noble goal. This archetype is a mainstay in Japanese lore, and was especially popular during Yoshitoshi's time. Exhibiting wily determination, Yamato Takeru disguises himself here in women's clothing to infiltrate an enemy encampment. Smitten by Yamato's feminine beauty, two enemy chieftains invite him to sit with them at a dinner. Yamato obliges, subsequently revealing his identity and assassinating them both, slashing them to pieces "like a ripe melon." After subduing the rebels, Yamato begins his long journey home, during which a malevolent deity causes Yamato to fall ill, resulting in his lonely, inglorious death in the inhospitable wilderness. This tragic end has made Yamamoto a poignant character and a quintessential "loser-hero".

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.