Personifications of Confucian virtue were codified in the 14th century by a scholar who designated twenty-four notable personages. Thereafter, these paragons became common subjects for artists in China-and eventually in Japan. In this print, Kuniyoshi depicts Yøkø (Yan Xiang, in Chinese), who faced a ferocious tiger he encountered while in the forest with his father. Yøkø is said to have shielded his father from the beast with his body without thinking of his own safety. Impressed with the youth's bravery, the tiger retreated, sparing both father and son.