Act Nine: Yuranosuke's House in Yamashina from the play Chushingura (Treasury of the Forty-seven Loyal Retainers) c. early 1790s

Katsukawa Shun'ei created this woodblock print titled "Act Nine: Yuranosuke's House in Yamashina from the play Chushingura (Treasury of the Forty-seven Loyal Retainers)" during the Edo period. This era was marked by relative peace, economic growth, and the rise of a vibrant urban culture, which greatly influenced the themes and styles of Japanese art. The print depicts a scene from a popular play based on a true story of samurai loyalty and revenge. Shun'ei was known for his portraits of Kabuki actors, and here he captures the drama and emotion of the stage. Notice the figures; while seemingly portraying women, they would have been men dressed in drag in accordance with Japanese theater traditions. The narrative of the Forty-seven Loyal Retainers resonates deeply with themes of honor, sacrifice, and social duty. Reflect on how this artwork uses gender and performance to explore these complex themes, and how it invites us to consider the emotional and cultural values of Edo-period Japan.