The early characteristics of Otsue which contained many Buddhist paintings are well expressed in the haiku by Basho MATSUO, 'Various kinds of Buddha are drawn in Otsu-e, so which one will the painter draw in the New Year.'
松尾芭蕉の俳句「大津絵の筆のはじめは何佛」には、仏画が多かった初期の大津絵の特徴が表れている。