There are many theories about Kintaro; some say this boy actually existed, while others say that he is an imaginary character born from a mountain witch, Yamanba in Japanese, and his father is a thunder god or dragon.

Kintaro is typically featured as a very strong boy - sumo wrestling with a bear or running around mountain areas with deer and monkeys.

On the other hand, Yamanba is a figure from Japanese folklore, typically depicted as an ugly old mountain witch, but Utamaro here has drawn her as a mother cherishing and loving her child.

Utamaro drew many images featuring the Yamanba and Kintaro, and this image is one of those works.