Chikahide Ryusai, Actors as the Forty-seven Retainers, Chushingura
Artist: Chikahide Ryusai (a.c.1860s-1870s)
Title: Actors as the Forty-seven Retainers（義士両国引取の図）
Publisher: Tsujiokaya Bunsuke
Date: 1866
Size: (L)37.3 x 25.2 (C) 37.4 x 25.2 (R)37.3 x 25.3 cm
Original Japanese woodblock print.
Kanadehon Chushingura, the story of forty 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 ronin, or masterless warriors. Thereafter, the ronin 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.
Chikahide Ryusai
Chikahide was a Japanese woodblock print artist active from the end of the Edo and into the Meiji period. Although there are few extant works, he seems to have predominantly produced Yakusha-e (actor prints).
Chikahide was a student Kunichika Toyohara and, along with fellow student Chikanobu Yōshū, assisted with many of Kunichika’s works.
| Print Format | Triptych |
|---|---|
| Artist | Chikahide Ryusai |
| Subject | Samurai & Male |
| Dimensions | (L)37.3 x 25.2 (C) 37.4 x 25.2 (R)37.3 x 25.3 cm |
| Condition Report | Vertical centrefolds, light wear and tears, creases. |
