the print was donated to the rom by sir edmund walker (1848–1924), who was the long-time president of the canadian bank of commerce, and served as the first chairman of the board of trustees for the rom. walker began collecting japanese art in the 1870s, making him one of the earliest collectors in north america. he bought many of his pieces in new york between 1873–1875 and 1881–1886, and during a trip to london in 1909. in 1919, after travelling to japan, china and korea, he was named honorary consul-general of japan for toronto.