Gishi yo uchi rannyū no zu [The Night Attack (Scene 11)]

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, artist

1797–1861

Gishi yo uchi rannyū no zu [The Night Attack (Scene 11)], 1840s–1850s, Edo period (1600–1868)

Portfolio/Series title: Chūshingura (Story of the 47 Rōnin)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: color woodcut

Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial

Accession number: 1928.4012.a,b

Not on display

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Label texts

Archive Label 2003:
This print depicts the climactic scene of the Chūshingura or the “Loyal League of Forty-Seven Rōnin”. This story of loyalty and revenge, based on historical events of the early 1700s, later enjoyed great popularity as a kabuki play. The plot revolves around forty-seven loyal rōnin (masterless samurai) who attack the villa of Lord Kira Kozuke-no-suke to avenge the wrongful death of their lord. The ronin wear black coats with white triangular patterns. In the lower half of the left print, Lord Kira is hiding at the back of storage shed as his retainers surrender to the advancing ronin. The names of the ronin are inscribed next to their figures in the print.

Archive Label date unknown:
These two panels are parts of what was originally a triptych depicting the climactic moments of the night attack. Having discovered that Moronao is hiding in the woodshed, several of the ronin use their spears to dispatch the last of Moronao's defenders. In the background several of Moronao's neighbors can be seen looking over the top of the wall after having been aroused by the sounds of the battle within. Yuranosuke assures them that they have nothing to fear from the ronin.

Archive Labe date unknown:
Kuniyoshi designed twelve different series on the subject of the Chūshingura, or "Storehouse of Loyalty," recalling incidents that took place in 1701-3. The historical events of this saga of revenge and bravery were embellished over the years and turned into a popular kabuki play. They were immortalized in print time and time again. The scene here is from Act Eleven and is the climactic point of the play. The forty-seven loyal warriors were retainers of a samurai lord who had been forced to kill himself. The retainers swear revenge on the enemy responsible, and in this scene enact their plan for a night raid on the villain's home. The attack is successful, but in the end the forty-seven warriors choose an honorable death by committing mass suicide when their self-imposed mission is fulfilled.