Portraits of the Faithful Samurai of True Loyalty
(Seichû gishi shôzô, 誠忠義士省像)
Publisher: Sumiyoshi-ya Masagorô
1853
In
1702, Lord Asano of Akô was provoked by Kira Kozukenosuke
Yoshinaka into drawing his sword in the shogun’s palace, for which he was
forced to take his own life, and his estate was confiscated. Forty-seven of Lord Asano’s retainers, who
were now rônin (samurai without masters), planned and
carried out a successful attack on Kira’s palace. Kira’s head was cut off with the same
dagger Lord Asano used to commit seppuku. (The term “hara-kiri”, although more common in English than “seppuku”, is considered in |
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Ôboshi Yuranosuke Yoshio (大星由良之助良雄) / Seichu gishi shozo (誠忠義士省像) the
historical Oishi Kuranosuke Yoshitaka, with a spear
over his shoulder Robinson: S78.1 |
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Yato Yomoshichi Norikane (矢頭與茂七教兼) / Seichu gishi shozo (誠忠義士省像), holding a
decorated lantern that illuminates his face Robinson: S78.2 Image courtesy of Richard Illing |
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Yoshida Sawaemon Kanesada
(吉田沢右エ門包貞) / Seichu gishi shozo (誠忠義士省像) blowing the
signal whistle Robinson: S78.3 Image courtesy of Richard Illing |
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Yokogawa Kanpei Munenori
(横川勘平宗則) / Seichu gishi shozo (誠忠義士省像) dripping wet,
wringing out his clothes Robinson: S78.4 |
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Kanzaki Yagorô Noriyasu Robinson: S78.5 |
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Nakamura Kansuke Masatatsu
(中村勘助正辰) / Seichu gishi shozo (誠忠義士省像) warding off a
brazier of hot ashes that has been thrown at him Robinson: S78.6 The poem translates: Surely there will be
teahouses where we can drink
amidst plums– on the journey to the
other world. NOTE: The oval
cartouche is the color of hot embers in the first edition, whereas the
cartouches of the other prints in this series are all solid red. |
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A later edition of the above design. Note the colors of the cartouches in the
right upper corner and the absence of ashes. |
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Muramatsu Sandayu Takanao
(邑松三太夫高直) / Seichu gishi shozo (誠忠義士省像) drinking from
a dipper Robinson: S78.7 |
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Horibe Yahei Kanamaru (堀部矢兵衛金丸) / Seichu gishi shozo (誠忠義士省像) parrying a
spear thrust from an unseen opponent Robinson: S78.8 |
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Tominomori Sukeemon Masakata (富之森祐右エ門正固) / Seichu gishi shozo (誠忠義士省像) with drawn
sword under a bell, which served as an intruder alarm Robinson: S78.9 |
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Ushioda Masanojô Takanori (潮田 政之丞 高教) with bow Robinson: S78.10 |
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Yada Gorozaemon Suketake
(箭田五郎佐エ門助武) / Seichu gishi shozo (誠忠義士省像) in the snow,
making two handed stroke with his sword Robinson: S78.11 |
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Sugino Juheiji Tsugifusa (杉野十平治次房) / Seichu gishi shozo (誠忠義士省像) looking
through a lifted curtain, his sword drawn Robinson: S78.12 The poem translates: “Behold our valor!” they
cry, as they surrender to the
wind– cherry blossoms on the
peak. |
Preparatory drawing (shita-e) and
keyblock print (kyôgô)
of Onodera Tôemon Hidetome
(小野寺 幸右エ門 秀當), intended for this series. This design is not listed in Robinson, and it is very unlikely that
it was ever made into a woodblock print.
This is one of several known drawings for unpublished designs in this
series. |
“Robinson” refers to listing
in Kuniyoshi: The Warrior-Prints by
Basil William Robinson (Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 1982) and its privately published supplement. CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MAIN
PAGE |