Chushingura, Revenge of the 47 Ronin, 18th Century


Entitled: "Juichidanme - act eleven of the Chushingura - searching the grounds." Drawing shows the night attack on Kira Yoshinaka's home by the 47 ronin. Chushingura is the title given to fictionalized accounts in Japanese literature, theater, and film that relate the historical incident involving the Forty-seven Ronin. The story tells of a group of samurai who were left leaderless (becoming ronin) after their daimyo (feudal lord) Asano Naganori was compelled to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) for assaulting a court official named Kira Yoshinaka. The ronin avenged their master's honor by killing Kira, after waiting and planning for a year. In turn, the ronin were themselves obliged to commit seppuku for committing the crime of murder. This true story was popularized in Japanese culture as emblematic of the loyalty, sacrifice, persistence, and honor that people should preserve in their daily lives. The historical basis for the narrative began in 1701. No artist credited, circa 1800-50.


Size: 3262px × 4350px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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