KUNIYOSHI CHUSHINGURA PRINTS

  In about 1980-85, a company called Artmail International produced a limited edition of good facsimiles of Kuniyoshi’s famous prints of Chushingura (A Treasury of Loyal Hearts) popularly known as the 47 Ronin. One thousand sets were printed using the most advanced litho printing of the time of which my set is No. 18. There were plans to do another set but as far as I know, this came to nothing. Since this time I have often seen these sets offered for sale, sometimes with them purporting to be original Kuniyoshi wood block prints and sometimes as modern reproductions, often lacking the detailed calligraphy that was written on them, the translation of which is included here.

The following text is taken from that originally sent out by Artmail International Ltd suitably edited where necessary.

  INTRODUCTION

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) whose real name was Igusa Magosaburo, also painted under the name of Ichiyusai. At the age of 12 he was apprenticed to Toyokuni of the Utagawa school and in 1814 obtained his degree.

  As a ‘master’ he was highly acclaimed for his portrayals of heroic warriors. The 47 Ronin and Heroes of Taiheiki are perhaps the most outstanding examples of his considerable talent.

  The Japanese art of woodblock printing, Surimono, dates from the early 17th century. The artist, master carver and printer, were all highly skilled in their individual art. To produce originals from which our prints are taken, eight woodblocks would have been separately carved, hand coloured and printed in register up to two hundred times. 

Our prints have been reproduced using eight colour masters and the most advanced litho printing techniques. Faults that occur in the originals have been retained.

Each text relates to the part played by the warrior – not necessarily the illustrated action – in the attack on Kira, which took place on 14th December 1702. In avenging the death of Lord Asano they achieved folk immortality and their exploits – retold here from illustrations of the play Chushingura (A Treasury of Loyal Hearts) – became legend.

At the foot of each translation are the words – ‘Written by request on his tomb’ – it was customary to inscribe plaques of ivory or bone, the exploits of the dead warrior; almost invariably they were signed with pseudonyms, such was their modesty.

Translator’s note: - The script and grammar have been kept loose and popular in translation. There are a number of ambiguities of various kinds but what is presented is the most acceptable version in each case.

Translated by TEK INTERNATIONAL – LONDON

Produced by: - ARTMAIL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, Box 874,London W8 6EY.

 

TOKUDA SADAEMON YUKITAKA

TOKUDA SADAEMON YUKITAKA

Tokuda Yukitaka was expert in swimming. When after killing Moranao the retainers withdrew to the Ryoboku Bridge, and were told by an informer that many were coming after them in pursuit, Kataoka Dengoemon, Sasaki Yagoro and Tokuda Sadaemon hurriedly took Moronao’s head to Sengakuji on a small boat that had been got ready. The other loyal retainers, numbering more than forty, determined to die together rather than give ground, gathered in front of the gate of the Nekooin Temple, uncertain of their next move; but in view of the confusion their arrival caused in the Temple, and because there was no sign of any further pursuit, they then made their way in a quiet and orderly column towards Tsukiji, aiming for Sengakuji in Shima.

  Written by request on his tomb.

NAKAMURA KANSUKE TADATOKI

 

NAKAMURA KANSUKE TADATOKI

Kansuke Tadatoki was an austere, frugal retainer of the Akodaimyoate, a placid and gentle man. He was an expert in the martial arts, with no taste for the ostentatious or extravagant. On the death of his lord he took his wife and family with him. At the time of his withdrawal from Harima his eldest son, Kanjiro, was five, and his second son Chuzaburo, two. He lay low in Kyoto with Oboshi, joining the league for avenging his lord. With money he had saved, he sent his wife back to her home, asking them to care for her there, and gave out that he was going up to the Kanto to pay his respects to his lord and to see the sights. Having journeyed to the east (i.e. Edo), he went to Honjo and became a disciple of the haiku poet Kitaku, writing haiku himself under the name Hyoshu. Otakas Shiyo, Senzaki Chikuhei and Tomimori Shunpo constantly visited Kikaku and Sentoku, using these visits as a way of gathering information about the house of the enemy. On the night of the attack Kansuke fought valiantly; providence rewarded him for the long hardships that he had suffered and their lord was avenged. As they left the gate, each one with his desire achieved, the gatekeeper came out with a torch. Looking back, Tadatoki saw it. “Careful with that light” he said, and ordered him to put it out. When the gate keeper murmured, “Surely you have nothing against the torch!” anger flared in Tadatoki’s countenance, and cursing the man for a low wretch he drove his spear sideways through his ribs with a single thrust. The fellow gave one scream and died. The company went forward – so it was said afterwards – with a great burst of laughter.

Written by request on his tomb.

 

ORIBE YAHEI KANAMARU

 

ORIBE YAHEI KANAMARU

Oribe Yahei Kanamaru was seventy-eight in the year of the longed-for vengeance was achieved, but he was more vigorous than many in their prime. He had long been an expert in the martial arts. He was a master of strategy of the Yamamoto School and a brave and mighty warrior. Praising Yasubei’s skill at the attack on Takadanobaba, he took him as a husband for his beloved daughter – such was his constant delight in valour. Not long before the night of the attack, he had been pleased to hear how the Isshi brothers had killed Akabori Mizuemon, their father’s enemy, at the Kameyama in Ise province. He was eager to praise too all and sundry what they had done, and to tell of Yasubei’s exploit, when what should happen but the death of his own lord….full of bitter rancour, he joined Oboshi’s league, waiting earnestly for the day of revenge. He had always been a skilful spearsman, and on the night of the attack the old man’s fearsome shouts, astounded all who heard them. His son-in-law Yasubei, while fighting gallantly himself, gave Yahei every assistance and together, father and son-in-law slew many of the enemy. When, having achieved vengeance, they had to submit to the punishment for the crime, Yahei’s sixteen year old daughter donned a nun’s grey in morning for her father and husband, took the name Myokai, and lived the other side of Rokuamida in Kamedo. Later she made herself a hermitage at Sengakuji, where she is said to have died at the age of ninety-three. There is a poem on Yahei’s spear-pennon:

Though I thought

I had lived too long

Without merit,

The joy of it now

This moment of old age!

 

Written by request on his tomb.

MASE CHUDAIFU MASAAKI

 

  MASE CHUDAIFU MASAAKI

Masaaki changed his name to Mitsuhashi Jotei, and practised as a doctor in a rented house in Koshi-machi.  His son Magokuro changed his name to Koichiro. Pretending to have come from the western provinces to solicit contributions from their present lord for the rebuilding of the shrine, he was living with three or four (sc other?) retainers in Jotei’s house. At the attack on the fourteenth of December, in spite of his sixty-two years, he fought as valiantly as any younger man, cutting his way in from the porch with the second band, shouting fearsomely as he went. The enemy warrior Mori Banzaemon engaged him, and the two engaged in fierce combat, when Hara Mimura, seeing what was going on, and noting how dangerous a swordsman Mori was, attacked him from the side, thinking to rescue the aged Mase; but Chudaifu, undaunted and unwearyingly, shouted “On, on, further into the house”! and continued to carry all before him like a raging tiger, sending the sparks flying from his sword hilt. Aiming unerringly, he struck at Mori’s forehead; in his well trained hands his Kunitoshi sword split his opponents head in two. Spouting blood, Mori died instantly, without even a cry. One naming himself as Komori Genji faced him next, blocking the doorway right in front of him so that he could not pass. Infuriated, Chudaifu crossed swords with Komori, then cut at him with high strokes and with low. Noted fighter though he was, Komori could not hold out against him, and tried to withdraw backwards, whereupon Chudaifu struck at him from the side. When Komori failed to avoid the blow, Chudaifu cut out the flesh from below the ribs on his right side, right up, and tossed it way. From this one has a vivid sense of the prowess of this amazing old man.

 

Written by request on his tomb.

 

TOKUDA MAGODAIFU SHIGEMORI

 

TOKUDA MAGODAIFU SHIGEMORI

Shigemori was an expert in the Shinto style of  fencing. With his son Tadaemon, thinking to kill Moronao, the enemy of his dead lord, he joined the league of loyal retainers, and entered the house under the orders of Oboshi. In spite of his more than fifty years he gave as good an account of himself as those in the prime of life. Mistaking Moronao’s son Moroyasu, for his enemy, he was laying in wait to strike him down when the signal whistle blew, and he found on running to the place, that Yazama and Takebayashi and the others with them had already killed the enemy. Thus he lost the chance to kill Moroyasu, but the loyal retainers, overjoyed, raised a cry of triumph. Then quietly they left the mansion, with Magodaifu and Yahei bringing up the rear.  

Written by request on his tomb.

 

HAYANO WASUKE TSUNENARI

 

HAYANO WASUKE TSUNENARI

Hayano Tsunenari was a master of archery, never missing a single shot in a hundred.. On the night of the avenging attack, Oboshi, moved by Kampei’s loyal death, and bearing in mind that he (sc Tsunenari) had the same name (sc as Kanpei), sent Tsunenari into the house of the enemy with the words ‘Hayano, loyal to the death’ inscribed on his spear pennon. Running in through the small back gate, Tsunenari first ran the gatekeeper through. This was thought (sc by the enemy) to be the work of Kanpei. As he crawled along the roof and shot his arrows in quick succession at every door of the long one storey building, the men inside thought that the house must be on fire, and rushed out frantically, only to be shot at by arrows from above; whereupon they retreated into the house again in confusion, no one going out to face him. Then he made his way in, aiming for Moronao’s room, and bravely cutting down everyone that opposed him. When finally he heard the signal whistle he and the others gathered in the servant’s room, and found the severed head of the enemy.

  Tsunenari had a taste for composing haiku (couplets). He studied under Sentoku, taking the poetic name of Joryu. When he achieved his great wish, he made this poem:

 

On a puff of wind

My life departs –

Kite climbing!

  On the night of the attack, he attached a slip of poetry-paper to his quiver, with this poem:

 

Though the snow fall

At Kotesashihara

No letter

Shall I send

To Yamato

 

Written by request on his tomb

 Copyright ©2004 Clive Sinclaire. All rights reserved.

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