Toyokuni I · Chūshingura Act XI · The Night Attack ·...

歌川豊国 — UTAGAWA TOYOKUNI I (1769–1825) Title: Chūshingura, Act XI (忠臣蔵十一段目, Chūshingura jūichidanme), the night attack of the loyal retainers Signature: 豊國画 (Toyokuni ga) Censor: Kiwame (極) round seal Date: Late Edo period, c. 1795–1805 Format: Hosoban (narrow vertical format), approx. [30 × 15 cm] Technique: Woodblock print (mokuhanga), polychrome (nishiki-e) Genre: Yakusha-e / Chūshingura subject Paper & condition The print is in a fair condition with moderate soiling, toning. The composition is well preserved The paper has some repairs. Fair condition overall! Please check the images carefully! The Scene The title cartouche identifies the subject as Act XI of Chūshingura, the climax of Japan's best-known revenge story. In 1701 Lord Asano of Akō drew his sword on the court official Kira Yoshinaka inside Edo Castle and was ordered to commit seppuku. Almost two years later, forty-seven of his former retainers stormed Kira's mansion on a winter night and took his head. The puppet play Kanadehon Chūshingura of 1748, written by Takeda Izumo II, Miyoshi Shōraku and Namiki Senryū, moved the story to the 14th century to avoid censorship. Kira became Kō no Moronao, Asano became Enya Hangan, and the leader Ōishi Kuranosuke became Ōboshi Yuranosuke. Act XI is the night attack itself, when the retainers force their way into Moronao's mansion and fulfil their revenge. The play was staged constantly in Edo, and Act XI was one of the most often illustrated scenes in ukiyo-e.

Estimate:£295.79

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