Based on a well-known Japanese tale, this print shows the historic site where the warrior General Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-89) washed his horse at Yoshino, Yamato Province, while trying to hide from the enemy in the highlands surrounding the waterfall.
The waterfall flows powerfully through a deep valley of trees and foliage. Rather than depicting Yoshitsune, Hokusai features in the foreground two small figures who attend to the task. Nevertheless, Hokusai makes the magnificent waterfall the focal point of the image through his use of thick, bold areas of white against the blue water. In addition, specks of white convey the bubbles and agitated foam of the water.
