According to the Takasago Shrine in Takasago City, Hyougo Prefecture, there have been “Aioi-no-Matsu” (twin pines: a Japanese red pine and Japanese black pine that share their roots) ever since the Shinto shrine was established. A pair of trees called “Jou” (old man) and “Uba” (old woman) ― a Japanese form of Darby and Joan ― bearing the legend, “We kami reside in these trees to show the world the way of marital virtue,” stand within the shrine. This is why a Takasago painting is often displayed on an auspicious occasion. Takasago generally means of an old man and woman.

This is a painting of Takasago by Seika Tatsumoto. A nice couple of an old man and an old woman is painted. Regardless of what period and where from, this is a ideal image of a married couple. We can witness Seika Tatsumoto’s desire for conjugal love from this work.