“Takasago” means elderly couple and has been often depicted as a subject of paintings. Its origin comes from the history of the Takasago Shrine in Takasago City, Hyogo Prefecture. A long time ago, a rare “twin pine” with one root and trunk divided into left and right grew in the precincts of the Takasago Shrine. One day, two gods in the shape of an old couple appeared from the pine tree and said, “Now I will dwell the spirit in this tree and show the way of couple,” and then disappeared into the pine tree. It is said that since then people have respected that pine tree and have decorated an elderly couple as a symbol of an ideal couple at a wedding ceremony as a custom.

This is a painting of a couple drawn by Nakajima Kakō, who was good at figure paintings. The couple looking in the same direction shows the ideal image of a married couple. A pine tree is painted behind, which is essential for the painting of the couple as a tree that houses the old couple. Nakajima Kakō is great enough to know that and painted a powerful and majestic pine tree. This tasteful work seems to contain the wish of him for a long-lasting harmonious marriage.