The tales are composed in the genre of engi. Engi is a narrative that chronicles the founding of a Buddhist establishment which, in the case of the Shigisan engi, is Chogosonshi-ji, founded by Myoren. The tales are painted in a style called otoko-e, or "men's pictures", a style characterized by active movement, outdoor scenes and a certain feeling of lacking restraint. The work is also a prime example of Heian scroll painting. As a work that draws from classical Japanese culture, it is referred to as yamato-e (as opposed to the Chinese themes inherent in kara-e.)