Chikashige Morikawa, Kanadehon Chushingura, Kabuki Theatre

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SKU
JG051708B-101
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Artist: Chikashige Morikawa (Active in 1869-1880s)
Title: Kanadehon Chushingura
Publisher: Yamamoto Heikichi
Date: 1881
Size: (L)35.6 x 23.9 (C)35.6 x 23.8 (R)35.6 x 23.8 cm

Original Japanese woodblock print.

chikashige morikawa, kabuki theatre, meiji period, traditional culture, japanese actors, faithful samurai
chikashige morikawa, kabuki theatre, meiji period, traditional culture, japanese actors, faithful samurai chikashige morikawa, kabuki theatre, meiji period, traditional culture, japanese actors, faithful samurai

Kanadehon Chushingura, the story of fourty seven retainers, is one of the greatest tales about loyalty and revenge in Japanese history. It is closely based on a historical event from the eighteenth century.
While preparing for the visit of the Emperor's ambassador in Edo Castle, one of the noblemen, Lord Asano of Ako, provoked by the countless insults, drew his sword on the other lord wounding him considerably. However, as drawing a weapon in the palace was strictly prohibited, Lord Asano was sentenced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide by disembowelment). His property was confiscated and his samurai dismissed, making them rōnin, or masterless warriors. Thereafter, the rōnin avenged their master by killing the enemy and putting his head on the grave of Lord Asano. The story ends with the honourable death by seppuku of the faithful samurai.

Chikashige Morikawa


Chikashige was a pupil of Kunichika Toyohara and specialised in Yakusha-e (actor prints). His woodblock prints were similar in style to that of his teacher. Chikashige was active in the Meiji period at a time when the ukiyo-e industry was declining. He took on many side jobs to subsidise his own artworks, including illustrations for books and magazines, a common practice for many Japanese woodblock print artists at the time. Although best known for his Kabuki actor prints, he also produced successful prints of the Meiji Imperial court.

More Information
Print FormatTriptych
ArtistChikashige Morikawa
SubjectSamurai & Male, Kabuki Theatre
Dimensions(L)35.6 x 23.9 (C)35.6 x 23.8 (R)35.6 x 23.8 cm
Condition ReportTrimmed, some wormholes, some spots, left panel slightly creased.
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