Ukiyo-e, Japanese woodblock prints, Japan, Farbholzschnitte, estampes japonaises, art, Kunst, graphic art, Grafik, Special feature, Eisen, Kuniyoshi, Chushingura, Forty-seven ronin

Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 - 1861)

Kanadehon Chushingura

A series of twelve woodblock prints
Size: oban
Published: 1854-55.4

Of the numerous dramas performed in the kabuki theater, by far the most popular as a subject for color prints was the Chushingura, or the "Loyal League of Forty-seven Ronin", mostly published in series of eleven or twelve designs corresponding to the eleven acts of the drama (with occasionally an additional design of one of the extra-scenes of act XI, like in the case of the set by Kuniyoshi represented in this section). The fact that the complete play was illustrated in an entire series of 'tableaux' gives us some idea of its immense popularity, a popularity which it has retained to the present day.
Originally written for the marionette theater by Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1723) and Takeda Izumo (1688-1756), Japan's two most celebrated playwrights, the Chushingura was first performed in Edo in 1748. - The Chushingura is founded on an historical event which took place in the fourteenth year of the Genroku period, that is in 1701, and relates how a certain noble, Asano Takumi-no-Kami, was so persistently insulted by another noble, Kira Kotsuke-no-Suke, his instructor in Court etiquette, that he was at last compelled to draw his sword upon his tormentor in the latter's palace, though he only managed to inflict a slight wound, owing to the timely (or untimely, according to the point of view) interference of a certain officer, Kajikawa Yosobei, thanks to whom Kotsuke escaped an attack which otherwise would certainly have ended fatally for him. Such an offence (drawing his weapon within the Court precincts) was punishable by death, and Takumi-no-Kami was condemned to commit seppuku, or self-immolation.
The revenge-story of his faithful retainers who so had become masterless samurai, or ronin, is the subject of the play, here illustrated by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.

Reference:
Henk Herwig, "Heroes of the kabuki stage", Amsterdam, 2004. The play is discussed in detail in chapter 16, 'Chushingura, the Story of the Loyal Retainers', pp. 179 - 196; the illustrations in the book were made from our set.

William Pearl's gradually expanding web site, exclusively devoted to the work of Kuniyoshi: Kuniyoshi Project

For a fifty-part print series portraying each member of the Fourty-seven Ronin individually, see:
Ogata GEKKO: 'Portraits of the Forty-seven Loyal Retainers', shown elsewhere in this gallery section.

The series is complete in 12 prints. As long as individual prints are not sold, the set may be bought in its entirety.
Please contact us for the largely reduced set price, or that of individual designs (in the latter case pls. refer to the given ACT no.).

Condition:
Very good / fine impression and color, occasional slight paper crease, slight soil in empty margins; good overall condition.
Each print comes in a mount as received from the set's former owner, the Scottish Arts Council.

For a larger picture and a short description of the depicted scene, please click on an illustration below.

Act I / Preface:
Tsurugaoka, Kabuto Aratame

Act II:
Momoikan, Striking the Pine

Act III:
Kamakura Jidaikan, Bloodshed

Act IV:
Hokan's Hara-kiri

Act V:
Yamazaki Road

Act VI:
Yoichibei's Home

Act VII:
Ichiriku Geisha House

Act VIII:
The Bride on her Way

Act IX:
The Quiet Retreat in Yamashina

Act X:
Amanogawaya

Act XI / scene1:
The Raid

Act XI / scene 2:
Moronao's head

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