Mountain moon after rain - Tokimune, from the series One hundred aspects of the moon

In 1193 the orphaned Soga brothers, Gorō Tokimune and Jūrō Sukenari, made a surprise attack on the camp of the shogun Minamoto Yoritomo with the intention of avenging the death of their father by killing his murderer Kudō Suketsune. They succeeded, but Jūrō lost his life in the fight with the guards while Gorō was captured and subsequently executed. Their story inspired numerous kabuki plays, and was a favourite subject for Yoshitoshi. Gorō is depicted here before the attack, when his attention was attracted by the call of the 'hototogisu' (Japanese cuckoo). It is believed that the cuckoo calls spirits to the next world. It is a symbol of the transience of life as well as melancholy and loneliness.