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 'Seichū gishi meimei gaden (Historical Biographies of the Loyal Retainers)'.

The story of the forty-seven rōnin is one of the best known stories in Japanese literature. The rōnin 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 rōnin presented themselves to the Shogun. The rōnin had defied a shogunate order prohibiting revenge, but had also exemplified the precepts of bushido. The Shogun allowed the rōnin to commit seppaku, rather than having them executed. The 46 rōnin committed suicide on February 4, 1703. Terasaka Kichiemon, the 47th rōnin, returned the following day but was pardoned. He was the only member to survive and died at the age of 78.

You may be interested to read the account in "Tales of Old Japan"; although note that the historical reality is somewhat different from Redesdale's version (which includes many incidents added to the story over the years in its dramatization).

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 chūban series, Seichū gishinden, Yoshitoshi depicts the 47 rōnin 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


We give both the full transcription of the name as given on the print, and
the usual version by which they are known (unless the latter is a sub-set of
the former).




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 Kazusanosuke Minamoto no Yoshihide
(Kira Kōzuke 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 Minamoto no Naganori
     
  

  

    
    #04
    2/1869
    Yoshida Chūzaemon Fujiwara no Kanesuke
     
  

  

    
    #05 
    2/1869
    Ōishi Chikara Fujiwara no Yoshikane
     
  

  

    
    #06
    2/1869
    Chikamatsu Kanroku Minamoto no Yukishige
    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
    Mase Kyūdayū Ki no Masaakira
(Manase Kyūdayū)		
     
  

  

    
    #08
    2/1869
    Onodera Jūnai Fujiwara no Hidekazu
     
  

  

    
    #09
    2/1869
    Hayamizu Tōzaemon Fujiwara no Mitsutaka
     
  

  

    
    #10 
    2/1869
    Chiba Saburōbyōe Taira no Mitsutada
(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 Yogorō Minamoto no Noriyasu
     
  

  

    
    #12
    2/1869
    Kan'ya Hannojō Sugawara no Masatoshi
(Sugaya Hannojō)		
     
  

  

    
    #13 
    2/1869
    Hazama Shinroku Fujiwara no Mitsukaze
    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
    Mase Magokurō Minamoto no Masatoki
(Manase Magokurō)		
     
  

  

    
    #15
    2/1869
    Muramatsu Kihei Hidenao Nyūdō Ryūen
    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 Minamoto no Sadayuki
    Kimura Okaemon Sadayuki was an expert horseman and swordsman in the service of Lord Asano. 
  

  

    
    #17
    2/1869
    Fuwa Kazuemon Taira no Shigetane
    Fuwa Katzuemon Masatane was hot tempered, and an expert in suemonogiri swordsmanship. He was 35 years old at his death.
  

  

     
    #18 
    2/1869
    Ōtaka Gengo Minamoto no Tadao
     
  

  

    
    #19 
    2/1869
    Muramatsu Sandayū Fujiwara no Takanao
     
  

  

    
    #20
    2/1869
    Kurahashi Densuke Kiyowara Takeyuki
    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 Urabe no Munefusa
     
  

  

    
    #22 
    2/1869
    Kaiga Yazaemon Fujiwara no Tomonobu
     
  

  

    
    #23
    2/1869
    Sugino Juheiji Fujiwara no Harufusa
     
  

  

    
    #24
    2/1869
    Kayano Wasuke Fujiwara no Tsunenari
     
  

  

    
    #25
    2/1869
    Onodera Kōemon Hidetome
     
  

  

    
    #26
    2/1869
    Okada Sadaemon Fujiwara no Yukitaka
(Okuda Sadaemon)		
     
  

  

    
    #27 
     2/1869
    Yatō Emoshichi Taira no Norikane
(Yazu Uemonshichi)		
     
  

  

    
    #28
    2/1869
    Terasaka Kiemon Fujiwara no Nobuyuki
(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
    Mimura Jirōemon Fujiwara no Kanetsune
(Mitsumura Jirōemon)		
    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
    Yokokawa Kanpei Fujiwara no Munenori
(Yokogawa Kampei)		
     
  

  

    
    #31
    2/1869
    Okajima Yasoemon Fujiwara no Tsuneki
    Okajima Yasoemon Tsunetatsu once overcame 5 bandits  with his swordsmanship, and tied them to the trees. 
  

  

    
    #32
    2/1869
    Hazama Jūjirō Fujiwara no Mitsuoki
    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 Gorōemon Fujiwara no Suketake
     
  

  

    d 
    #34
    2/1869
    Seta Matanojō Minamoto no Takanori
(Shiota Matanojō)		
     
  

  

    
    #35
    2/1869
    Nakamura Kansuke Fujiwara no Masatoki
     
  

  

    
    #36
    2/1869
    Yoshida Sawaemon Fujiwara no Kanesada
     
  

  

    
    #37
    2/1869
    Katsuta Shin'emon Minamoto no Taketaka
(Katsuta Shinzaemon)		
     
  

  

    
    #38
    2/1869
    Takebayashi Sadashichi Mō no Takashige
(Takebayashi Tadashichi)		
     
  

  

    
    #39
    2/1869
    Isogai Jurōemon Fujiwara no Masahisa
(Isogai Jūrōzaemon)		
    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 Taira no Masayori
     
  

  

    
    #41
    2/1869
    Okada Magodayū Fujiwara no Shigemori
(Okuda Magodayū)		
     
  

  

    
    #42
    2/1869
    Ōishi Sezaemon Fujiwara no Nobukiyo
     
  

  

    
    #43
    2/1869
    Okano Kin'emon Fujiwara no Kanehide
(Okano Kinemon)		
     
  

  

    
    #44
    2/1869
    Horibe Yasubei Taketsune
     
  

  

    
    #45
    2/1869
    Akagaki Genzō Fujiwara no Masakata
    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 Fujiwara no Mitsunobu
     
  

  

    
    #47
    2/1869
    Kataoka Gengoemon Minamoto no Takafusa
     
  

  

    
    #48
    2/1869
    Horibe Yahei Minamoto no Kanemaru
     
  

  

    
    #49
    2/1869
    Hara Sōemon Taira no Mototoki
     
  

  

    
    #50
    2/1869
    Ōishi Kuranosuke Fujiwara no Yoshio
     
  










Acknowledgements


Thanks to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, whose Web-site provided the
complete transcriptions of the names.











 

Back to home page 








© Copyright 2009, 2019 by J. Noel Chiappa and Jason M. Levine