Ogata Gekkō · Gishi Shijūshichi Zu · 47 Rōnin ·...

Artist: Ogata Gekkō 尾形月耕 (1859–1920) Series: Gishi shijūshichi zu 義士四十七圖 (Pictures of the Forty-seven Loyal Retainers) Title: Muramatsu Kihei Hidenao 村松喜兵衛秀直 Format: Ōban tate-e, approx. 36 × 24 cm Technique: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and colour on paper Date: Meiji period, 1896–1902 (to be confirmed from the margin colophon) Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi 松木平吉 (margin colophon) Signature: 月耕 (Gekkō), with the artist's seal CONDITION Good colors and strong impression. The paper has minor Soiling/toning and an album backing. Please check the images! About the print Muramatsu Kihei was one of the oldest men in the league, already in his sixties at the time of the raid. He served the Asano house in Edo as a low-ranking official, and he joined the vendetta together with his eldest son, Muramatsu Sandayū. Father and son both took part in the attack on Kira's mansion. After the raid the rōnin were split up among four daimyō houses to await the shogunate's verdict. Kihei and his son were sent to different houses: Kihei to the Mōri lords of Chōfu, Sandayū to the Mizuno lords of Okazaki. Both men died by seppuku on the same day in early 1703. In 1702, forty-seven former retainers of Lord Asano of Akō took revenge on Kira Yoshinaka, whose insult had led to their master's forced suicide. They then surrendered and were sentenced to ritual suicide. The story, known as Chūshingura, became Japan's national legend of loyalty. Gekkō's Gishi shijūshichi zu gives one sheet to each of the forty-seven men, with a label stating his rank, stipend and age at death. The set was completed and reissued in 1902 for the 200th anniversary of the vendetta, and this sheet carries a 1902 publication date.

Estimate:$168.55

View all items fromCatawikiorAncient Art