Act Seven from the series Treasury of Loyal Retainers (ChÅ«shingura: Shichi danme): ONKYOKU SHU 

Curator: This print by Torii Kiyonaga, part of the series *Treasury of Loyal Retainers*, presents a somber domestic scene. The stark lines and muted palette create a feeling of tension. Editor: The rigid vertical lines, the man's upward gaze, it gives an almost stifling feeling, as if a great weight is pressing down. Curator: Right. Kiyonaga produced this ukiyo-e work with woodblock printing. The narrative comes from a famous Kabuki play that retells a historical vendetta. It was created to criticize the shogunate. Editor: Note how the planes create tension too. The foreground is dominated by the man, the midground the garden and the background the outside. All seem very closed off from each other. Curator: Yes, and the positioning of the figures within the architecture emphasizes their emotional distance. Editor: Overall, it’s a well-constructed piece that captures an intense internal struggle, wouldn’t you say?