Toyohara Kunichika

1835-1900

The Syllabary of Loyal Retainers: Actor Bando Hikosaburo V as Ko no Moronao
(Kanadehon Chushingura: Bando Hikosaburo, Ko no Moronao)

signed Kunichika hitsu with the artist's Toshidama cartouche, publisher's seal Tsujikame han (Tsujiokaya Kamekichi of Kinkido), combined censor and date seal Ushi-shichi, aratame (year of the ox [1866], 7th month, examined)

oban tate-e 14 1/8 by 9 7/8 in., 35.8 by 25 cm

The actor Bando Hikosaburo V (1832-1877) is in the role of Ko no Moronao from the play Kanadehon Chushingura (The Syllabary of Loyal Retainers), popularly known in English as the Forty-Seven Ronin. Moronao is the infamous villain of the play and the object of the ronin's collective vendetta.

Reference:
Nobutaka Imamura, ed., Ukiyo-e (Kunichika), Kyoto University of Art & Design, March 2018, p. 12, no. 47
(inv. no. 10-3949)

price: $375