Subject: The ronin Oboshi Seizaemon Nobukiyo (kabuki name) – charging through the rear gate, on towards his next adversary, the skilled fighter Sudo Senemon
Series: Seichu gishi den (Stories of the true loyalty of the faithful samurai)
Print No: 1.32
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861)
Signature: Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga and kiri seal
Date: 1847-48
Cens: Muramatsu – Yoshimura
Publisher: Ebi-ya Rinnosuke
Size: Oban tate-e, 35.9 x 24.9 cm
Condition: Fine impression, very good colour and condition. Numbered
Price: Not for sale at this stage
True name: Ōishi Sezaemon Nobukiyo (大石 瀬左衛門 信清)
Age: 29
Katana mei: mumei length 2 shaku 9 sun
Wakizashi mei: mumei length 1 shaku 9 sun + Long Yari
The tale of the text – with a little twist
Oboshi Nobukiyo was the kind of cousin who shows up to family gatherings already warmed up for a duel. Officially, he was an armourer. Unofficially, he was a walking embodiment of the phrase “Let’s get this over with.”
While other conspirators were quietly blending into Kyoto life, Nobukiyo was in the Kanto region pacing like a caged tiger, asking Yuranosuke every five minutes, “Is it time yet?” Hara and Yoshida joined him in this chorus of impatience, forming what was essentially the world’s earliest and angriest group chat.
When the attack date was finally set, Nobukiyo sprinted to the Oribe house four or five days early and immediately began fussing over the weapons like an anxious parent checking their child’s school lunch. Bows? Perfect. Spears? Sharpened. Naginata? Polished. Emotional stability? Absolutely not.
On the night of the raid, he didn’t sleep a wink—probably because he was too busy vibrating with anticipation. When the fourth wave charged the rear gate, Nobukiyo blasted forward like a man who’d been waiting months to hit something.
At first, he found no one to fight, which must have been deeply disappointing. But then Sudo Senemon appeared, dramatically announcing himself like a stage actor making an entrance. Their weapons clashed in a flurry of sparks and footwork. Sudo fought with flair—twirls, flourishes, the whole kabuki‑worthy routine—but Nobukiyo’s swordsmanship was so blindingly intense that Sudo might as well have been trying to duel a lightning bolt.
One decisive slash later, Sudo was down, and Nobukiyo didn’t even bother to look back. He had more mansion to storm, more enemies to terrify, and absolutely no time for post‑battle reflection.
For an accurate translation of the print text, I would encourage you to get the book: Kuniyoshi -The faithful samurai by David R Weinberg.