Act IX c. 1806

"Act IX" was created by Katsushika Hokusai, sometime before his death in 1849, and is a woodblock print which presents a scene from the Kanadehon Chūshingura story. Set against a backdrop of a serene, snow-covered landscape, the emotional intensity of the figures draws us into a narrative charged with honor, revenge, and sacrifice. Hokusai lived during the Edo period, a time of rigid social structures and samurai ethos which idealized loyalty and martial prowess. The image depicts the clash of gendered expectations, as the women are caught up in this act of samurai violence. Their involvement disrupts traditional representations, complicating the narrative by highlighting the roles women play in this story of honor and revenge. As Hokusai once said, “From around the age of seventy, I started to get a better picture of the real structure of birds and animals, insects and fish, and of the way plants grow.” Here, the careful composition and attention to detail invites us to reflect on the values that shape individual destinies within the broader context of Japanese society. "Act IX" serves as a potent reminder of the human cost of unwavering allegiance, and the sacrifices demanded by societal expectations.