Sugenoya Hannojō Masatoshi
Artist
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
(Japanese, 1797 - 1861)
DateEdo period (1615-1868)
MediumWoodblock print
DimensionsOverall: 4 15/16 × 7 1/2 inches (12.54 × 19.05 cm)
Credit LineGift of Carol Shankel
Object number2016.29.5
SignedArtist's signature in the middle of left end: "Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga 一勇齋国芳画 (painted by Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi).
InscribedNone
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionSugenoya Hannojō Masatoshi strikes a dramatic, almost theatrical pose and his face appears very serious. He was one of the legendary fourty-seven Akō rōshi, or master-less samurai of Akō, who took revenge on their master Asano Naganori in 1703 and died due to illegal action of revenge. Their story became popular soon after they died as people regarded their act as the representation of loyalty and there have been theaters and artworks created since Edo period. This illustration of Masatoshi is identical to the ones in the collections of British Museum and others. Due to the censorship, his name has been slightly modified to Sugenoya, while his original family name is Sugaya. His name appears on the white collar.
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