Act Eight: The Bridal Journey from the play Chushingura (Treasury of the Forty-seven Loyal Retainers) c. early 1790s

This woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'ei depicts a scene from Act Eight of the play Chushingura, made in Japan during the Edo period. The play, based on the true story of 47 samurai who avenged their lord's death, became a cultural touchstone, embodying ideals of loyalty and sacrifice. Here, we see the bride Okaru pausing on her journey, perhaps adjusting her sandal. The print provides a window into the social and cultural world of Edo Japan. Woodblock prints like this one served as a popular form of entertainment and news dissemination. The Tokugawa shogunate, the ruling military government, heavily regulated many aspects of Japanese society. Theater was subject to censorship, and the story of the 47 Ronin was a constant subject. The study of these prints benefits from understanding the complex interplay of artistic expression, social values, and political constraints that shaped their creation and reception. Examining playbills, government records, and contemporary accounts can reveal a deeper understanding of the print's cultural significance.