THE 47 LOYAL RETAINERS by Yoshitora:
The celebrated story of the 47 Ronin is based on real incidents. It has been illustrated and performed in the Kabuki Theater since its occurrence shortly after the turn of the 18th century. The story is as follows:
Asano, a brash young lord from the country, was appointed by the Shogun to receive the Emperor’s ambassadors. Because Asano was unfamiliar with court etiquette, Kira Kotsuke Moronao was given the job of instructing him in the ways of the Edo court. Moronao was an unscrupulous man who insulted Asano’s ignorance of court etiquette. So persistent were his insults that Asano felt compelled to draw his sword in the palace. This offense was punishable by death and he was obliged to commit seppuku in 1701. His principle retainer Oishi Kuranosuke and 46 of his companions, who were now Ronin, or masterless samurai, swore to avenge their master’s death. After much planning, they succeeded in slaying Moronao. They were all given the death penalty and committed mass seppuku in 1704. This act of revenge and loyalty embodied the Japanese ideal of the noble samurai and the 47 Ronin were enshrined at Sengaku temple beside their beloved master. Their graves receive every mark of respect to this day.
Utagawa Yoshitora (fl. c.1850-1880) was a ukiyo-e artists who worked and lived in Edo. The exact dates of his birth and death are unknown. He was an important pupil of Kuniyoshi. He worked between 1850 and 1880 and is best known for his warrior and Yokohama prints.
