The elephant referred to in the title was brought to Japan in June 1728 by Chinese traders. Originally the elephants were a male-female pair, but the female died soon after arrival and the male was sent alone to Edo. Given the weight of the animal and the difficulties of transportation, it was seen at the time as an exceptionally rare beast. In this context it is interesting to note that Toyotomi Hideyoshi, in a letter to the governor of the Philippines written in 1597, thanks the governor for his gifts and adds "The black elephant in particular I found most unusual." This view is still obtained in the early 18th century, and the elephant of the title is even referred to in the official history of the Tokugawa shogunate, the Tokugawa jikki.
　　The Zo-shi gives a description of the appearance of the elephant and its native habitat, together with references culled from some thirty sources relating to the meat, hide, tusks, temperament, uses etc. of the elephant.