Otsue were first painted in the early Edo period (17th century) in Otsu City, Otani Oiwake district. The pictures which were painted by unknown artists were sold as souvenirs to travelers along the Old Tokaido Highway. As the pictures were first painted in the Otani, Oiwake district of Otsu they were originally known as Otanie or Oiwake-e, however as time passed, they gradually came to be called Otsu-e. In the very beginning, Otsue were sold as religious paintings of Buddah to be hung in the homes of the less wealthy as objects of worship. Later these pictures expanded into the realm of Ukiyoe style painting, with pictures of beatufil women being very popular. Most of these pictures were of a humorous or satirical nature.