Kuniyoshi: Act X of the Chûshingura (Jû-dan) (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Title: Act X of the Chûshingura (Jû-dan)
Series: Mitate Inspired by the Play Chûshingura (mitate chôchin-gura)
Date: 1847-53

This series has the main figures of the chapters from Kabuki “Chûshin-gura” on lanterns on the right top, however the title of prints is a phonetically similar “chôchin,” meaning a lantern instead of “chûshin,” loyal retainers. The lantern of this print shows Amagawa-ya no Gihei on his trunk. In act X, Gihei of the oil shop Amagawa-ya was to organize the weapons for the retainers. At one point he was attacked in the house and asked to tell the truth. However, he did not reveal his secret, although his marriage and family were in danger. Soon it came out that these attackers were the retainers themselves who wanted to check Gihei’s strange behavior. Gehei proved them his loyalty. A poem by Komatsu refers to the iron determination of Gihei. From the series “Mitate Inspired by the Play Chûshingura” (mitate chôchin-gura).

Publisher: Yamamotoya Heikichi
Seal: censors’ seals:Muramatsu & Yoshimura (1847-53)
Signature: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga

SKU: KUY223