Act Five: Yamazaki Highway from the play Chushingura (Treasury of the Forty-seven Loyal Retainers) c. 1795

This woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'ei, titled *Act Five: Yamazaki Highway from the play Chushingura (Treasury of the Forty-seven Loyal Retainers)*, depicts a scene from the famous Japanese play, *Chushingura*, about the forty-seven loyal retainers. This scene, set in 1703 Japan, highlights the emotional and physical toll of the retainers’ journey. The print’s composition highlights the dramatic contrast between the stoic figure of the retainer standing on the left and the grief-stricken retainer on the right. Shun'ei’s ukiyo-e style, characterized by its vibrant colors, detailed lines, and focus on everyday life, vividly portrays the play’s powerful narrative, making it a popular and influential piece of Japanese art history.