It is a legend that Kiyohime, betrayed by Anchin, a monk she fell in love with, changed her form into a snake and chased him all the way to Dojoji Temple, eventually burning the bell to death.
Her eyes are fixed on Anchin. Her tightly crossed lips express her strong obsession for him. Cherry petals fall in the dark night. Yoshitoshi’s direction may have been inspired by traditional Japanese performing arts, or the sad love story.