Like his son, Tamuramaro, Sakanoue Karitamaro was a humble servant of the emperor. Yoshitoshi has depicted him here about to fire an arrow, an image of the martial prowess that the Sakanoue family used to align themselves with the emperor. Chosen to lead the imperial army because of their prestigious lineage, the Sakanoue were purportedly descended from Emperor Ling of the later Han Dynasty in China. (C.E. 25-220) The family emigrated to Japan during the reign of Emperor Ōjin in the late 4th century. Known for their refined military skills, especially their mastery of the bow and arrow, the Sakanoue were quickly recruited by the imperial court and appointed to high ranks at court and as warriors. Karitamaro and his progeny were revered in Yoshitoshi's time as brave warriors and honorable loyalists.

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.