Bushidoboutique

Night attack of the 47 ronin

Title: In the Ryakuô Era (1338–42), the Forty-seven retainers of En’ya Hangan make a night attack on their sworn enemy Kôno Moronao (Ryakuô nenchû En’ya Hangan keshi yonjûshichi-ki onteki Kôno Moronao youchi no zu – 暦応年中塩治判官家士四十七騎怨敵高野師直夜討之圖).

Kuniyoshi woodblock print triptych 47 ronin night attack T80
kuniyoshi woodblock print triptych 47 ronin night attack front
kuniyoshi woodblock print triptych 47 ronin night attack verso
kuniyoshi woodblock print triptych 47 ronin night attack signature
kuniyoshi woodblock print triptych 47 ronin night attack
kuniyoshi woodblock print triptych 47 ronin night attack detail
kuniyoshi woodblock print triptych 47 ronin night attack detail
kuniyoshi woodblock print triptych 47 ronin night attack signature
Kuniyoshi woodblock print triptych 47 ronin night attack signature
Kuniyoshi woodblock print triptych 47 ronin night attack detail

Description: The forty seven ronin fight furiously with Moronao’s retainers along the lake shoreline and across a gallery walkway that spans the lake and inner garden of Moronao’s residence. All overseen by Oboshi Yuranosuke (bottom right) seated on his camp stool and beating his war drum

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797 – 1861)

Signature: Signed on all three sheets Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇斎 國芳 画) within his gourde shaped toshidama seal of 1837 according to Robinson – but likely 1840 on the right hand sheet

Date: 1839-1841

Publisher: Sano-ya Kihei

Robinson: T80

Condition: Good impression, with strong colours as seen by the fugitive greens and purples being retained nicely. Some repaired small wormholes. I have not seen other examples of this print on the market in 25+ years

Price: TBC