Hokuei captures the psychological torment that follows Danshichi, who is depicted here, sword clenched between his teeth, having just slain Giheiji, his greedy and deceitful father-in-law. Danshichi was driven to murderous distraction by the taunts of the older man, whose muddy hand- and footprints appear at Danshichi's feet. A poem printed in silver and visible only in certain light conditions reads somewhat ironically, "The young bamboo does not mind the weight of the rain."