Utagawa Kunisada
Japanese, 1786 - 1865Act 11 from the Play "The Treasury of Loyal Retainers" (Chushingura), 1857
Not on view
Woodblock on paper
Dimensions9 3/4 × 14 9/16 in. (24.8 × 37 cm)
Gift of Richard Streng in memory of Henriette W. Streng, 1973.99
The story of the Chusingura was a beloved historical account in Japan that exemplified the values of loyalty and duty. The story revolves around 47 samurai warriors known as rōnin who avenge the death of their slain samurai leader; the story eventually filled the pages and stages alike of Japanese art forms. Kunisada had depicted the narrative in many ways, always with the rōnin fighters dressed in black and white. This scene is likely a representation of kabuki actors in the role of the rōnin fighters.
