Yashima besso (Act Nine: Konami and Tonase Wait While Honzo Disguised as a Monk Eavesdrops), Utagawa Hiroshige

Artwork Overview

1797–1858
Yashima besso (Act Nine: Konami and Tonase Wait While Honzo Disguised as a Monk Eavesdrops), 1843–1847, Edo period (1600–1868)
Portfolio/Series title: Chūshingura (Story of Forty-Seven Rōnin)
Where object was made: Japan
Material/technique: color woodcut
Dimensions:
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 152 x 218 mm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 6 0.98425 x 8 9/16 in
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 189 x 242 mm
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 7 7/16 x 9 1/2 in
Mat Dimensions (Height x Width): 14 x 19 in
Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial
Accession number: 1928.7438
Not on display

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Images

Label texts

Exhibition Label: "The Art of Stories Told," Jun-2004, Veronica de Jong This scene shows a mother and daughter at another ronin’s home. The daughter was betrothed to the son of this family, but because of some shameful actions by the husband/father who stands to the left, the family is reluctant to allow the marriage to continue. This suspenseful moment is cleverly illustrated by dividing the image into two parts. Honso, father and husband to the two women, has followed them and disguised himself as a monk. The mother and daughter are prepared to commit suicide if the marriage is to be canceled and Honzo is also prepared to die in order to rescue his daughter’s marriage.