The print depicts an event in the life of the semi-historical O-Usu (often known as Yamato Takeru, ‘Bravest in Yamato’). The 8th-century histories Kojiki and Nihonshi say that he lived from 81–113 CE, but he is actually an amalgam of several 4th-century generals who helped the Yamato rulers to subdue indigenous groups. Here, he is disguised in his aunt’s clothes to gain entry to a feast where he kills two chieftains, brothers known as 'Kumaso Takeru' (‘Bravest of the Kumaso’). The younger brother gave O-Usu the name 'Yamato Takeru' before dying.