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.
