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[Jūichidanme - act eleven of the Chūshingura - assualt on Kira Yoshinaka's home - pursuing the guards and searching for Kira]

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Summary

Print shows a scene during the attack on Kira Yoshinaka's home by the 47 rōnin, with the samurai chasing Kira's guards and searching the grounds.

Title devised by Library staff, no information provided by Nichibunken-sponsored Edo print specialists in 2005-2006.

Forms part of: Japanese prints and drawings (Library of Congress).

Woodblock printing in Japan (木版画, moku-hanga) is a technique best known for its use in the ukiyo-e artistic genre of single sheets, but it was also used for printing books in the same period. Woodblock printing had been used in China for centuries to print books, long before the advent of movable type, but was widely adopted in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868). Woodblock printing appeared in Japan at the beginning of Edo period, when Tokugawa shogunate was ruled by th​e Japanese society. This technique originated from China, where it was used to print books for many centuries. Its original name is ‘moku-hanga’ and it has a wide usage in artistic genre of ‘ukiyo-e’. As opposed to western tradition, where artists used oil-based inks for woodcuts, moku-hanga technique uses water-based inks. That is why those prints had colors so vivid, as well as glazes, and transparency. This collection describes Japanese printmaking different schools and movements. The most notable of them were: - From 1700: Torii school - From 1700-1714: Kaigetsudō school - From 1720s: Katasukawa school, including the artists Shunsho and Shuntei - From 1725: Kawamata school including the artists Suzuki Harunobu and Koryusai - From 1786: Hokusai school, including the artists Hokusai, Hokuei and Gakutei - From 1794: Kitagawa school, including the artists Utamaro I, Kikumaro I and II - From 1842: Utagawa school, including the artists Kunisada and Hiroshige - From 1904: Sōsaku-hanga, "Creative Prints" movement - From 1915: Shin-hanga "New Prints" school, including Hasui Kawase and Hiroshi Yoshida Woodblock prints were provided by the Library of Congress and cover the period from 1600 to 1980.

Chushingura, also known as "The Treasury of Loyal Retainers" or "The Forty-Seven Ronin," is a famous Japanese tale from the 18th century. It recounts the story of a group of samurai who seek revenge for the unjust death of their master. The fact that it's a true story plays a significant role in its long-lasting appeal. The story takes place during the Edo period and is based on historical events. It begins with Lord Asano Naganori, a samurai lord, who is provoked by the arrogant and corrupt court official Kira Yoshinaka. Asano draws his sword and injures Kira within the Shogun's palace, which is strictly forbidden. As a result, Asano is ordered to commit ritual suicide, known as seppuku. After Asano's death, his loyal retainers become ronin (masterless samurai) and are determined to avenge their lord's honor. They spend years planning and preparing for their mission, carefully disguising their intentions to avoid suspicion. Finally, in a meticulously orchestrated attack, they succeed in killing Kira, bringing justice to their fallen master.

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kira yoshinaka homes and haunts forty seven ronin samurai japan chasing fighting winter drawings japanese color ukiyo e juichidanme act act eleven chushingura assualt kira yoshinaka home guards woodcuts history of japan 1800 japanese woodblock prints prints 18th century fine prints japanese pre 1915 kira yoshinaka home ultra high resolution high resolution japanese art library of congress woodblock prints forty seven rōnin 47 ronin
date_range

Date

1600
collections

in collections

Japanese Woodblock Prints

Japanese Woodblock Prints from Library of Congress Collection. Woodcuts, which were made by moku-hanga technique from 1600 to 1980.

Chushingura - 47 Rōnin

Fourty Seven Ronin
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Location

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Source

Library of Congress
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Link

http://www.loc.gov/
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No known restrictions on publication.

label_outline Explore Act Eleven, Kira Yoshinaka, Kira

Topics

kira yoshinaka homes and haunts forty seven ronin samurai japan chasing fighting winter drawings japanese color ukiyo e juichidanme act act eleven chushingura assualt kira yoshinaka home guards woodcuts history of japan 1800 japanese woodblock prints prints 18th century fine prints japanese pre 1915 kira yoshinaka home ultra high resolution high resolution japanese art library of congress woodblock prints forty seven rōnin 47 ronin