47 ronin inside Maronao’s palace
Title/text: Night Attack of the Faithful Retainers (Gishi yo-uchi no zu, 義士夜討ノ圖)
Description: The interior of Moronao’s palace just after the rônin burst in: their rush is met by a group of Moronao’s retainers (left) while Yuranosuke directs operations seated on a camp-stool with a small drum (right)
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797 – 1861)
Signature: Signed on all three sheets Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇斎 國芳 画)
Censor seals: Hama – Magome
Date: Rat 9, October-November 1852
Publisher: Sano-ya Kihe
Robinson: Whilst this is not in The warrior prints by B. W. Robinson, it has been slotted into T287A based on production date. Refer Kuniyoshi project (this example published there). Although quite rare, I believe this to be a second edition, as I have seen a version with bokashi applied to the sky in the centre sheet and red/green shading within the title block, likely the earliest edition. Both versions retain the same strong wood grain patterns.
Condition: Good impression, retaining strong colours, some ink marks. Full size retaining margins. Very good condition.
Price: TBC