Kunichika — Chūshingura / 47 Rōnin triptych | Ōboshi Yuranosuke, Satō Yomoshichi, Ōtaka Bungo | - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)
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€ 48
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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 € 200 - € 300
 | €48 |
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Japanese Edo-period Nishiki-e three-sheet Ōban triptych by Toyohara Kunichika, 1866 Keiō 2, depicting Ichimura Kakitsu IV as Satō Yomoshichi, Bandō Hikosaburō V as Ōboshi Yuranosuke and Kawarazaki Gonjūrō I as Ōtaka Bungo, in original/authentic condition with strong colour and a firm paper stock, overall measuring 36 × 73 cm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Artist: Toyohara Kunichika (豊原国周, 1835–1900), signed Kunichika hitsu (國周筆)
Series: 誠忠義士銘々伝 — Seichū Gishi Meimei Den ("Individual Biographies of the Truly Loyal Retainers")
Subject: Actors as three of the forty-seven loyal rōnin:
Right sheet: Ichimura Kakitsu IV as Satō Yomoshichi (佐藤与茂七)
Centre sheet: Bandō Hikosaburō V as Ōboshi Yuranosuke (大星由良之助)
Left sheet: Kawarazaki Gonjūrō I, later Ichikawa Danjūrō IX, as Ōtaka Bungo (大高文吾)
Format: Ōban triptych, three sheets, each ca. [36 × 24 cm]
Technique: Nishiki-e (full-colour woodblock print)
Date: Keiō 2 (1866)
Signature / seals: Signed Kunichika hitsu on each sheet. Publisher's and date seals on each sheet.
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Condition: Strong impression with excellent colour throughout. The paper is firm and subtle. Minor trimming Please refer to the images for full detail!
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About the print
The revenge of the forty-seven rōnin of Akō in 1703 was the most famous story of loyalty in Edo Japan. On stage it was best known as Kanadehon Chūshingura, where the real leader, Ōishi Kuranosuke, appears under the name Ōboshi Yuranosuke. Ōtaka Bungo stands for the historical rōnin Ōtaka Gengo. Satō Yomoshichi belongs to the wider Chūshingura world through Tsuruya Nanboku's Tōkaidō Yotsuya Kaidan, which was written as a side story to the revenge.
The Akō City History Museum holds a complete copy of this triptych. Its record dates the design to 1866 and connects it to the Ichimura-za production of the seventh month of that year. The record describes the three rōnin as half-length figures on their way to the night attack. The scroll inset across the top lists the names of the loyal retainers. The same record names the three actors given above.
The cast adds to the print's interest. Kawarazaki Gonjūrō later took the name Ichikawa Danjūrō IX and became one of the greatest actors of the Meiji stage. Bandō Hikosaburō V was a leading Yuranosuke of his generation. Kunichika, then in his early thirties, was becoming the main actor-print designer of late-Edo Tokyo, and close-up figures like these became his trademark.
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: Toyohara Kunichika (豊原国周, 1835–1900), signed Kunichika hitsu (國周筆)
Series: 誠忠義士銘々伝 — Seichū Gishi Meimei Den ("Individual Biographies of the Truly Loyal Retainers")
Subject: Actors as three of the forty-seven loyal rōnin:
Right sheet: Ichimura Kakitsu IV as Satō Yomoshichi (佐藤与茂七)
Centre sheet: Bandō Hikosaburō V as Ōboshi Yuranosuke (大星由良之助)
Left sheet: Kawarazaki Gonjūrō I, later Ichikawa Danjūrō IX, as Ōtaka Bungo (大高文吾)
Format: Ōban triptych, three sheets, each ca. [36 × 24 cm]
Technique: Nishiki-e (full-colour woodblock print)
Date: Keiō 2 (1866)
Signature / seals: Signed Kunichika hitsu on each sheet. Publisher's and date seals on each sheet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Condition: Strong impression with excellent colour throughout. The paper is firm and subtle. Minor trimming Please refer to the images for full detail!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
About the print
The revenge of the forty-seven rōnin of Akō in 1703 was the most famous story of loyalty in Edo Japan. On stage it was best known as Kanadehon Chūshingura, where the real leader, Ōishi Kuranosuke, appears under the name Ōboshi Yuranosuke. Ōtaka Bungo stands for the historical rōnin Ōtaka Gengo. Satō Yomoshichi belongs to the wider Chūshingura world through Tsuruya Nanboku's Tōkaidō Yotsuya Kaidan, which was written as a side story to the revenge.
The Akō City History Museum holds a complete copy of this triptych. Its record dates the design to 1866 and connects it to the Ichimura-za production of the seventh month of that year. The record describes the three rōnin as half-length figures on their way to the night attack. The scroll inset across the top lists the names of the loyal retainers. The same record names the three actors given above.
The cast adds to the print's interest. Kawarazaki Gonjūrō later took the name Ichikawa Danjūrō IX and became one of the greatest actors of the Meiji stage. Bandō Hikosaburō V was a leading Yuranosuke of his generation. Kunichika, then in his early thirties, was becoming the main actor-print designer of late-Edo Tokyo, and close-up figures like these became his trademark.
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
Edo Period (1600-1868)
Country of Origin
Japan
Attribution
Original
Height
36 cm
Width
73 cm
Title of artwork
Kunichika — Chūshingura / 47 Rōnin triptych | Ōboshi Yuranosuke, Satō Yomoshichi, Ōtaka Bungo |
Condition
Fair condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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