It is a short story of 'Suminuri (putting black ink) tale' style seen in 'Heichugoto,' the 19th section of "Kohon Setsuwashu" (Collection of Old Tales), Kyogen (farce performed during a Noh cycle) 'Suminuri.'
『古本説話集』第十九段「平中事」、狂言「墨塗」などに見られるモチーフ「墨塗説話」系の短編。