Historical Biographies of the Loyal Retainers

Yoshitoshi's 'Historical Biographies of the Loyal Retainers' (2/1869)


Introduction

This page catalogs all prints in Yoshitoshi's series 'Seichû gishi meimei gaden (Historical Biographies of the Loyal Retainers)'.

The story of the forty-seven rônin is one of the best known stories in Japanese literature. The rônin were former samurai of the Lord Asano Naganori. In the year 1701, Asano had been charged with the reception ceremony for the Imperial envoy, an important event. He was a soldier, and the Shogun assigned Lord Kira Yoshihisa (who had better knowledge of the ceremonial requirements) to assist Asano. Kira was apparently corrupt, and expected a bribe for his services from Asano. When Asano did not produce the bribe, Kira abandoned him without assistance. Asano completed the ceremony for the Imperial envoy, although it was not entirely in order. He later confronted Kira and in anger drew his sword. He wounded but did not kill Kira. The offense of drawing the sword was punishable by death and Asano was forced to commit seppuku.

Forty-seven of Asano's samurai, led by Captain Oishi Kuranosuke, developed a plan to avenge their late master. They blended into society and domestic lives, giving no hint that they harboured a secret plan. Oishi played a convincing drunk, and was derided by many, including former colleagues. Several other co-conspirators were able to infiltrate Kira's household. On December 14, 1702, the faithful samurai attacked Kira's compound in Edo. They were able to defeat the defenders, and found Kira cowering in a woodshed. Kira refused seppaku, and was killed. Thereafter, the samurai Terasaka Kichiemon was dispatched to carry news of the successful attack. The remaining 46 rônin presented themselves to the Shogun. The rônin had defied a shogunate order prohibiting revenge, but had also exemplified the precepts of bushido. The Shogun allowed the rônin to commit seppaku, rather than having them executed. The 46 rônin committed suicide on February 4, 1703. Terasaka Kichiemon, the 47th rônin, returned the following day but was pardoned. He was the only member to survive and died at the ageof 78.

You may be interested to read the account in "Tales of Old Japan".

This story has spawed many accounts, or Chushingura, and many kabuki plays, the most popular being 'Kanadehon Chushingura.' Many ukiyo-e artists, including Kuniyoshi and Yoshitoshi, have created many works that deal with this popular subject.

In this chûban series, Seichû gishinden, Yoshitoshi depicts the 47 rônin along with biographical information.

Technical details

Previous cataloguings

Listed in Keyes' thesis: 
	Roger. S. Keyes, "Courage and Silence: A Study of the Life and
		Color Woodblock Prints of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 1839-1892",
		Cinncinnati, 1982
where it appears as series #255; 
 

 

We use the Keyes numbers to order the prints below. 



The Prints


To see a larger image of any print, please click on the thumbnail.




 




  

    
Thumbnail

    

      
Number

    

    
Date

    
Title

    
Description

  

  

    

    
#01

    
2/1869

    Preface dated spring 1869
     
  

  

    

    
#02

    
2/1869

    Kira Kôzuke no Suke
    Kira Kozuke-no-suke, also known as Moronao, insulted Asano and forced him to draw his sword in the court.
  

  

    

    
#03

    
2/1869

    Asano Takumi no Kami
     
  

  

    

    
#04

    
2/1869

    Yoshida Chûzaemon
     
  

  

    

    
#05 

    
2/1869

    Oishi Chikara
     
  

  

    

    
#06

    
2/1869

    Chikamatsu Kanroku
    Chikamatsu Kanroku Yukishige's family were retainers of the Asano family for generations. His mother encouraged him to take part in the raid. Later that night, she killed herself.
  

  

    

    
#07

    
2/1869

    Manase Kyûdayû
     
  

  

    

    
#08

    
2/1869

    Onodera Jûnai
     
  

  

    

    
#09

    
2/1869

    Hayami Tôzaemon
     
  

  

    

    
#10 

    
2/1869

    Samba Saburobei
    Saburobei Mitsutada was a loyal samuari. He was a teacher of Heki-ryu, a form of archery. On the night of the raid he fought valently, killing three men.
  

  

    

    
#11

     
2/1869

    Kanzaki Yogorô
     
  

  

    

    
#12

    
2/1869

    Sugaya Hannojô
     
  

  

    

    
#13 

    
2/1869

    Hazama Shinroku
    Hazama Shinroku Mitsukaze went to Kanto with the other loyalists and lived in Kojimachi after his lord's death. He assisted in spying on Moronao's house and fought well on the night of the attack.
  

  

    

    
#14

    
2/1869

    Manase Magokurô
     
  

  

    

    
#15

    
2/1869

    Muramatsu Kihei
     Muramatsu Kihei was a physician after Asano's death.. He was 60 years old at the time of the attack and displayed great valor.
  

  

    

    
#16 

    
2/1869

    Kimura Okaemon
    Kiura Okaemon Sadayuki was an expert horseman and swordsman in the service of Lord Asano. 
  

  

    

    
#17

    
2/1869

    Fuwa Kazuemon
    Fuwa Katzuemon Masatane was hot tempered, and an expert in suemonogiri swordsmanship. He was 35 years old at his death.
  

  

     

    
#18 

    
2/1869

    Otaka Gengo
     
  

  

    

    
#19 

    
2/1869

    Muramatsu Sandayû
     
  

  

    

    
#20

    
2/1869

    Kurahashi Densuke
    Kurahashi Densuke Takeyuki was 24 years old on the night of the attack. He was very hot tempered and an expert in martial arts. He procured a map of the enemy's house and located the secret room where Kira hid.
  

  

    

    
#21

    
2/1869

    Maebara Isuke
     
  

  

    

    
#22 

    
2/1869

    Kaiga Yazaemon
     
  

  

    

    
#23

    
2/1869

    Sugino Juheiji
     
  

  

    

    
#24

     
2/1869

    Kayano Wasuke
     
  

  

    

    
#25

    
2/1869

    Onodera Kôemon
     
  

  

    

    
#26

    
2/1869

    Okuda Sadaemon
     
  

  

    

    
#27 

     
2/1869

    Yazu Uemonshichi
     
  

  

    

    
#28

    
2/1869

    Terasaka Kichiemon
    Terasaka Kichiemon Nobuyuki was the only Ronin who did not commit seppuku because he was on an important errand. He was pardoned by the Shogun, Thereafter, and became a priest and took after the tombs of the other Ronin. He lived to be 80 years old.
  

  

    

    
#29

    
2/1869

    Mitsumura Jirôemon
    Mitsumura Jiroemon Kanetsune was a chef, and performed the task with care and diligence. He won numerous awards for his culinary skill.
  

  

    

    
#30

    
2/1869

    Yokogawa Kampei
     
  

  

    

    
#31

    
2/1869

    Okajima Yasoemon
    Okajima Yasoemon Tsunetatsu once overcame 5 bandits  with his swordsmanship, and tied them to the trees. 
  

  

    

    
#32

    
2/1869

    Hazama Jûjirô
    Hazama Jujiro Motooki killed Kira with his spear. His wife killed herself at his tomb, leaving a note which read "You were a loyal servant to the lord and never wanted to serve another. Even if you lost your life, your name will live long as a great soldier."
  

  

    

    
#33

    
2/1869

    Yata Gorôemon
     
  

  

    
d 

    
#34

    
2/1869

    Shiota Matanojô
     
  

  

    

    
#35

    
2/1869

    Nakamura Kansuke
     
  

  

    

    
#36

    
2/1869

    Yoshida Sawaemon
     
  

  

    

    
#37

    
2/1869

    Katsuta Shinzaemon
     
  

  

    

    
#38

    
2/1869

    Takebayashi Tadashichi
     
  

  

    

    
#39

    
2/1869

    Isogai Jûrôzaemon
    Isogai Jurozaemon Masahisa was an expert of Naginata, the long sword. After the death of his lord, he intended to kill himself but was informed of Oishi's plan of revenge. Masahisa was a gentle man, yet he fought valiently at the raid.
  

  

    

    
#40

    
2/1869

    Tomimori Sukeemon
     
  

  

    

    
#41

    
2/1869

    Okuda Magodayû
     
  

  

    

    
#42

    
2/1869

    Oishi Sezaemon
     
  

  

    

    
#43

    
2/1869

    Okano Kinemon
     
  

  

    

    
#44

    
2/1869

    Horibe Yasubei
     
  

  

    

    
#45

    
2/1869

    Akagaki Genzô
    Akagaki Genzo Masakata was fond of drinking sake. In spite of his drinking he was always respectful to everyone. On the night of the raid he was 25 years old and fought with great enthusiasm.
  

  

    

    
#46

    
2/1869

    Hazama Kihei
     
  

  

    

    
#47

    
2/1869

    Kataoka Gengoemon
     
  

  

    

    
#48

    
2/1869

    Horibe Yahei
     
  

  

    

    
#49

    
2/1869

    Hara Sôemon
     
  

  

    

    
#50

    
2/1869

    Oishi Kuranosuke
     
  




















 

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