The Chushingura is a dramatic work that commemorates an historic event that took place on the 14th day of the 12th month of 1702. The Ako ronin, or lordless samurai, led by Oishi Kuranosuke attacked the Kira estate, and by beheading Kira Yoshinaka, the group avenged their deceased lord Asano Naganori. This event known as the Ako Revenge was dramatized in a variety of ways, but the most famous of these dramatizations is the Kabuki play, Kanadehon Chushingura (The Treasury of Loyal Retainers: A Model for Emulation), commonly known as simply Chushingura. As it was forbidden at the time to use the real names of the participants in this event, the play was recast in Japan's medieval period, and all of the names of the principals were changed (which is why, in the description of the act in the preceding paragraph, we describe who the major characters actually represent in parentheses). The Chushingura is made up of twelve acts, and was the subject of various series throughout the history of ukiyo-e. The scenes depicted for the individual acts became rather codified, so that the viewers of the day could immediately identify the act depicted in a print.

This print is has wonderfully fresh colors and is in very good condition, with nice baren work in the garment. The image measures approximately 12 ¼ by 9 ½ inches, plus margins.

This print is has wonderfully fresh colors and is in very good condition, aside from a restored 1 cm. cut near the opening for the steam. There is very nice baren work in the background. The image measures approximately 13 by 9 ¼ inches, plus margins.

This print is has wonderfully fresh colors and is in very good condition, aside from a faint stain in the right shoulder. There is very nice baren work in the background. The image measures approximately 13 by 9 ¼ inches, plus margins.