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A work made of color woodblock print; oban.

Act 3 (Sandanme), from the series "The Revenge of the Loyal Retainers (Chushingura)"

c. 1834/39

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川 広重 Japanese, 1797-1858

Japan

Outside a shogunal mansion in Kamakura, Honzo has brought gifts for Lord Kira on behalf of Lord Wakasa. Wakasa was offended by Kira’s treatment of the two lords and thus threatened to kill Kira. These gifts greatly pleased Kira, known for his love of gold.. Because Lord Asano did not match this largess, and because of Asano’s wife earlier rejection of Kira, he continued to insult and taunt Asano. This drove the proud lord to attack Kira with a knife in the shogun’s court, the origin of this tale of samurai revenge.

Color woodblock print; oban

Arts of Asia