Setsugekka: Yamashiro, Fushimi yuki, Tokiwa gozen, Otowaka, Ushiwaka, Imawaka. (Yamashiro, Snow at Fushimi, Lady Tokiwa, Otowaka, Ushiwaka, and Imawaka).

Lady Tokiwa was a noblewoman, concubine or wife of Minamoto no Yoshitomo (1123-1160) who bore him three sons, one of whom became the great samurai general Minamoto no Yoshitsune. After Yoshitomo’s death during the 1160 Heiji rebellion, she fled with her sons in the depth of winter, pursued by Taira soldiers, to Uta. She is shown in this print carrying her baby under her Kimino, while the other two boys are wearing red kimonos, olive coloured Sashinuki hakama (ballooned skirt or trousers worn in the Heian period), and Getas (sandals with high bases) and carrying swords as sons of a samurai were permitted to do. Chikanobu creates the illusion of the cold, by having one of the boys blowing on his hands to warm them while the other brother holds his hat against the cold wind. Inset: Kabuki actor of a samurai holding an umbrella.

From the series Setsugekka. ‘Snow, Moon, Flowers’.