Utagawa Kunihiro (歌川国広) (artist )
Nakamura Matsue III (中村松江) as Okaru (おかる) and Ichikawa Danzō V (市川団蔵) as Kampei, two figures from the Chūshingura
ca 1827 – 1831
10.5 in x 15.25 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese color woodblock print
Signed: Utagawa Kunihiro (歌川国広)
Publisher: Momen'ya Tōkichi (Marks 346 - seal 01-003)
Ritsumeikan University
Tokyo Fuji Museum of Art
Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum - a different edition of this print In this scene Okaru has just handed a box containing a rejection letter over to an aide to Lord Moronao from Okaru's mistress, Kaoyo, the wife of Enya Hangan. This sets off the series of events which lead to Enya Hangan's committing suicide and the revenge sought by his 47 loyal retainers.
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There is another copy of this print in the collection of the Museo d'Arte Orientale, Genoa.
According to one site there is also another copy in the Museo d'arte Orientale di Torino, but we cannot confirm this.
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Illustrated in black and white in Ukiyo-e: Japanische Farbholzschnitte des 19. Jahrhunderts, Schenkung Dr. Hans Lühdorf. Bilder einer fließenden vergänglichen Welt., Kunstmuseum Düsseldorf im Ehrenhof, 1990, #381, page 201.
Momen'ya Tōkichi (木棉屋藤吉) (publisher)
Ichikawa Danzō V (五代目市川団蔵: 4/1819 to 6/1845) (actor)
Chūshingura (忠臣蔵 - 47 Rōnin) (genre)
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Nakamura Matsue III (三代目中村松江) (actor)
Hayano Kanpei (早勘平) (role)
Kyōto-Osaka prints (kamigata-e - 上方絵) (genre)