Act Ten: Gihei’s loyalty is tested by the Rōnin disguised as police officers

Utagawa Hiroshige, artist

1797–1858

Act Ten: Gihei’s loyalty is tested by the Rōnin disguised as police officers, 1847–1853, 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): 153 x 211 mm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 6 x 8 5/16 in
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 173 x 229 mm
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 6 13/16 x 9 in
Mat Dimensions (Height x Width): 11 x 14 in

Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial

Accession number: 1928.7458

Not on display

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Label texts

Exhibition Label:
"The Art of Stories Told," Jun-2004, Verionica de Jong
Gihei, a merchant involved in the revenge plot, could not become a samurai because classes were fixed during this period in history. However, during this period merchants were wealthy and powerful and sponsored many plays like this one. In order to appeal to the merchant audience of this play, Gihei was depicted as a man of integrity. His loyalty is proven one night when the rōnin (master-less samurai) disguise themselves as police officers and demand Gihei inform them of who is plotting an attack. They threaten to kill his young son but Gihei remains silent. Yuranosuke, the leader of the band of rōnin, then emerges from a crate and apologizes to Gihei, explaining the need to insure complete secrecy of their plans.