Utagawa Yoshitora
(active c.1840-80)

In 1702, Lord Asano of Ako was provoked by Kira Kozukenosuke Yoshinaka into drawing his sword in the shogun's palace, for which he was forced to take his own life, and his estate was confiscated. Forty-seven of Lord Asano's retainers, who were now ronin - samurai without masters, planned and carried out a successful attack on Kira's palace. Kira's head was cut off with the same dagger Lord Asano used to commit seppuku. The 46 surviving ronin then took their own lives. These events were made into the famous play, Kanadehon Chushingura.

Utagawa Kuniyoshi
(1797 – 1861)

Seichû gishin meimei kagami
Mirror of the True Loyalty of the Faithful Retainers
1857

Teraoka Heiemon Nobuyuki, one of the 47 ronin, carrying two buckets of water through the snow.

Signature: Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi
Publisher: Ise-ya Isaburô
Date: snake 3/1857
Censor seal: aratame
Excellent colours and details. Horizontal center fold, now flattened. Very small repaired loss at left edge. Slight soiling and wrinkling. Minor marks.
oban tate-e
see in B.W. Robinson "Warrior Prints" S90.18

Utagawa Kuniyoshi
(1797 – 1861)

Seichû gishin meimei kagami
Mirror of the True Loyalty of the Faithful Retainers
1857

Yazama Jûjirô Moto-oki, one of the 47 Ronin, fighting with crossed swords by a sand pit with an overturned brazier

Signature: Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi
Publisher: Ise-ya Isaburô
Date: snake 3/1857
Censor seal: aratame
Excellent 1st edition print with fine impression and condition and very good colours.
With rich powder for the flying sand. With albumbacking.
Upper area lightly soiled, margins trimmed.
oban tate-e 24.5 x 37.0 cm
see in B.W. Robinson "Warrior Prints" S90.13 (listed as not seen)

Katsushika Hokusai
(1760 - 1849)

Kanadehon Chushingura
Act 6
1806

From a series of 11 prints, only two with censor and date seal.


In 1702, Lord Asano of Ako was provoked by Kira Kozukenosuke Yoshinaka into drawing his sword in the shogun's palace, for which he was forced to take his own life, and his estate was confiscated. Forty-seven of Lord Asano's retainers, who were now ronin - samurai without masters, planned and carried out a successful attack on Kira's palace. Kira's head was cut off with the same dagger Lord Asano used to commit seppuku. The 46 surviving ronin then took their own lives. These events were made into the famous play, Kanadehon Chushingura.

Publisher: Tsuru-ya Kinsuke
oban yoko-e 37 x 26 cm
The natural colours are still nice and delicate but faded. Some gauffrage in the sky, thick hosho paper.

Print from the same series.
Act 11