Ogata Gekkō · Gishi Shijūshichi Zu · 47 Rōnin · Chūshingura · 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 - € 250
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Original Meiji-period woodblock print by Ogata Gekkō, titled Ogata Gekkō · Gishi Shijūshichi Zu · 47 Rōnin · Chūshingura, Ōban tate-e format about 36 × 24 cm, ink and colour on paper, publisher Matsuki Heikichi, provenance Private collection, in good condition.
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: Fuwa Kazuemon Masatane 不破数右衛門正種
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
Very good colors and strong impression. The paper has minor Soiling/toning and an album backing. Please check the images!
-------------------------------------------------------
About the print
Fuwa Kazuemon's story is unlike that of any other of the forty-seven. In 1697, years before the vendetta, Lord Asano dismissed him from service, and he lived as a rōnin outside the clan. The reasons are not recorded with certainty. One tradition says he dug up a freshly buried corpse to test a new sword. Another says he cut down passers-by at night. When news came in 1701 that Asano had been forced to commit seppuku and the domain had been confiscated, Fuwa hurried to Akō to offer his service. Ōishi Kuranosuke turned him away at first because of his earlier dismissal. Fuwa kept asking and was eventually admitted to the league.
He repaid that trust in full. In the night attack on Kira's mansion he is said to have cut down more of Kira's men than any other rōnin. A letter he wrote while in custody after the raid survives and is one of the frank first-hand accounts of how Kira was killed. Fuwa died by seppuku in 1703 and is buried at Sengakuji with his lord and his comrades. The cartouche on this sheet still lists him as a rōnin, a reminder that he joined the league from outside the clan.
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. This sheet carries a January 1902 colophon, the same date recorded for the British Museum's impression.
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: Fuwa Kazuemon Masatane 不破数右衛門正種
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
Very good colors and strong impression. The paper has minor Soiling/toning and an album backing. Please check the images!
-------------------------------------------------------
About the print
Fuwa Kazuemon's story is unlike that of any other of the forty-seven. In 1697, years before the vendetta, Lord Asano dismissed him from service, and he lived as a rōnin outside the clan. The reasons are not recorded with certainty. One tradition says he dug up a freshly buried corpse to test a new sword. Another says he cut down passers-by at night. When news came in 1701 that Asano had been forced to commit seppuku and the domain had been confiscated, Fuwa hurried to Akō to offer his service. Ōishi Kuranosuke turned him away at first because of his earlier dismissal. Fuwa kept asking and was eventually admitted to the league.
He repaid that trust in full. In the night attack on Kira's mansion he is said to have cut down more of Kira's men than any other rōnin. A letter he wrote while in custody after the raid survives and is one of the frank first-hand accounts of how Kira was killed. Fuwa died by seppuku in 1703 and is buried at Sengakuji with his lord and his comrades. The cartouche on this sheet still lists him as a rōnin, a reminder that he joined the league from outside the clan.
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. This sheet carries a January 1902 colophon, the same date recorded for the British Museum's impression.
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
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