Tawara Tota Hidesato, whose real name was Fujiwara Hidesato, was one of the military commanders who defeated Taira Masakado (903-940), who claimed to be an emperor.
This painting is based on the theme of the legend of his extermination of the Great Centipede. The woman he is protecting is “Seta-no Tatsujo (The female dragon disguised in the human figure),” with a mysterious smile on her face. The centipede monster is jumping up from the upper left and attacking him. The humorous yokai was shot dead by Hidesato with an arrow.