Ogata Gekkō · Gishi Shijūshichi Zu · 47 Rōnin · Chūshingura · Senba Saburōbei Mitsutada · Meiji - Japan - Meiji period (1868-1912)
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Selected by Giovanni Bottero
Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Original Meiji-period woodblock print by Ogata Gekkō from the Gishi shijūshichi zu series depicting Senba Saburōbei Mitsutada, Ōban Tate-e (36 × 24 cm), published by Matsuki Heikichi, from a private collection.
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Description from the seller
Artist: Ogata Gekkō 尾形月耕 (1859–1920)
Series: Gishi shijūshichi zu 義士四十七圖 (Pictures of the Forty-seven Loyal Retainers)
Title: Senba Saburōbei Mitsutada 千馬三郎兵衛光忠
Label on the sheet: 臺所小役人 祿七石 行年三十七 (kitchen official, stipend of seven koku, died aged 37), provisional reading
Format: Ōban tate-e, approx. 36 × 24 cm
Technique: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and colour on paper
Date: Meiji period, 1896–1902 (to be confirmed from the margin colophon)
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi 松木平吉 (margin colophon)
Signature: 月耕 (Gekkō), with the artist's seal
________________________________________________________
CONDITION
Good colors and strong impression. The paper has minor Soiling/toning and an album backing. Please check the images!
-------------------------------------------------------
About the print
Senba Saburōbei has one of the most striking stories among the forty-seven. A blunt, unbending man, he repeatedly criticised Lord Asano to his face. In 1697 he was placed under house confinement and his stipend was cut from 100 to 30 koku. He was in the middle of asking to leave Asano's service when the attack on Kira at Edo Castle took place in 1701. He withdrew his resignation, put his personal grievance aside, and joined the league. During the raid he fought in the rear-gate party, and he later died by seppuku at the Edo residence of the Matsudaira lords of Iyo-Matsuyama. Later storytellers added a legend in which Senba won his place in Asano's service by recovering a stolen family spear.
In 1702, forty-seven former retainers of Lord Asano of Akō took revenge on Kira Yoshinaka, whose insult had led to their master's forced suicide. They then surrendered and were sentenced to ritual suicide. The story, known as Chūshingura, became Japan's national legend of loyalty.
Gekkō's Gishi shijūshichi zu gives one sheet to each of the forty-seven men, with a label stating his rank, stipend and age at death. The set was completed and reissued in 1902 for the 200th anniversary of the vendetta.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
Artist: Ogata Gekkō 尾形月耕 (1859–1920)
Series: Gishi shijūshichi zu 義士四十七圖 (Pictures of the Forty-seven Loyal Retainers)
Title: Senba Saburōbei Mitsutada 千馬三郎兵衛光忠
Label on the sheet: 臺所小役人 祿七石 行年三十七 (kitchen official, stipend of seven koku, died aged 37), provisional reading
Format: Ōban tate-e, approx. 36 × 24 cm
Technique: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and colour on paper
Date: Meiji period, 1896–1902 (to be confirmed from the margin colophon)
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi 松木平吉 (margin colophon)
Signature: 月耕 (Gekkō), with the artist's seal
________________________________________________________
CONDITION
Good colors and strong impression. The paper has minor Soiling/toning and an album backing. Please check the images!
-------------------------------------------------------
About the print
Senba Saburōbei has one of the most striking stories among the forty-seven. A blunt, unbending man, he repeatedly criticised Lord Asano to his face. In 1697 he was placed under house confinement and his stipend was cut from 100 to 30 koku. He was in the middle of asking to leave Asano's service when the attack on Kira at Edo Castle took place in 1701. He withdrew his resignation, put his personal grievance aside, and joined the league. During the raid he fought in the rear-gate party, and he later died by seppuku at the Edo residence of the Matsudaira lords of Iyo-Matsuyama. Later storytellers added a legend in which Senba won his place in Asano's service by recovering a stolen family spear.
In 1702, forty-seven former retainers of Lord Asano of Akō took revenge on Kira Yoshinaka, whose insult had led to their master's forced suicide. They then surrendered and were sentenced to ritual suicide. The story, known as Chūshingura, became Japan's national legend of loyalty.
Gekkō's Gishi shijūshichi zu gives one sheet to each of the forty-seven men, with a label stating his rank, stipend and age at death. The set was completed and reissued in 1902 for the 200th anniversary of the vendetta.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
Meiji period (1868-1912)
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
Japan
Attribution
Original
Title of artwork
Ogata Gekkō · Gishi Shijūshichi Zu · 47 Rōnin · Chūshingura · Senba Saburōbei Mitsutada · Meiji
Condition
Good condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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