Ogata Gekkō · Gishi Shijūshichi Zu · 47 Rōnin · Chūshingura · Meiji - Japan - Meiji period (1868-1912)
00
days
10
hours
34
minutes
00
seconds
Current bid
€ 29
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Giovanni Bottero
Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
Estimate € 150 - € 250
 | €29 | |
|---|---|---|
| €26 | |
| €23 | |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 143467 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Original Meiji-period woodblock print by Ogata Gekkō from the Gishi shijūshichi zu series, documenting the Forty-seven Loyal Retainers (Kayano Wasuke Tsunenari), an Ōban tate-e measuring approximately 36 × 24 cm, ink and colour on paper, published by Matsuki Heikichi.
AI-assisted summary
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: Title: Kayano Wasuke Tsunenari 茅野和助常成
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
Kayano Wasuke was one of the newcomers among the forty-seven. Together with Kanzaki Yogorō and Yokokawa Kanpei, he had first served the Mori clan of Tsuyama, Akō's neighbouring domain, and was taken into Akō service only shortly before the vendetta. The three had worked on the huge dog kennels built at Nakano, outside Edo, under the shogun's laws protecting animals. When the Mori heir lost his mind on his way to pay his respects to the shogunate, Tsuyama was confiscated, and the three men moved to Akō. Despite his short time in Asano's service and his low rank, Kayano joined the league and took part in the raid.
After the attack he was one of nine lower-ranking rōnin placed in the custody of Mizuno Tadayuki, lord of Okazaki, at his Mita residence, where the nine committed seppuku on 4 February 1703. A letter he left behind, the "Kayano Wasuke isho", is among the sources used by historian Yamamoto Hirofumi in his 2012 study of the incident.
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 and stipend. 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: Title: Kayano Wasuke Tsunenari 茅野和助常成
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
Kayano Wasuke was one of the newcomers among the forty-seven. Together with Kanzaki Yogorō and Yokokawa Kanpei, he had first served the Mori clan of Tsuyama, Akō's neighbouring domain, and was taken into Akō service only shortly before the vendetta. The three had worked on the huge dog kennels built at Nakano, outside Edo, under the shogun's laws protecting animals. When the Mori heir lost his mind on his way to pay his respects to the shogunate, Tsuyama was confiscated, and the three men moved to Akō. Despite his short time in Asano's service and his low rank, Kayano joined the league and took part in the raid.
After the attack he was one of nine lower-ranking rōnin placed in the custody of Mizuno Tadayuki, lord of Okazaki, at his Mita residence, where the nine committed seppuku on 4 February 1703. A letter he left behind, the "Kayano Wasuke isho", is among the sources used by historian Yamamoto Hirofumi in his 2012 study of the incident.
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 and stipend. 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 · Meiji
Condition
Good condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
