Manuscript Illustration of 47 Ronin Seppuku of Oishi Kuranosuke Wonderful, hand-drawn and coloured work
[Japan] Impressive, large, hand-drawn illustration showing the ritual suicide of Oishi Kuranosuke (1659-1703), leader of the forty-seven ronin. Their lord (daimyo), Asano Nagamori (1667-1701), had assaulted court official Kira Yoshinaka (1641-1703) as a result of being insulted by him. The ronin planned their revenge and waited two years to get their revenge. Kira was killed and 46 of the 47 ronin were ordered to commit seppuku (disembowel themselves) including Oishi's son, Yoshikane, who was just 16 years old.
Artist unknown. No date but late Edo/early Meiji (c1840s-1870s).
Single, folded sheet. 97 x 54cm.
In very good condition. Some age wear, marks and minor darkening. m36081689
