Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) made this print as one scene from the Chūshingura, the celebrated drama of the forty-seven loyal retainers. The play recounts a true event: after their lord was forced to take his own life, his masterless samurai waited, then carried out a long-planned revenge. Hiroshige illustrated the eleven acts of the story more than once during his career.
Act XI is the night of the attack. This first scene gathers the retainers in deep winter, with snow on the trees, figures crossing a bridge, and a boat passing beneath it. Hiroshige cut the design as a colour woodblock print, using soft greys and blues to hold the cold, quiet hour before the raid.
The mood is still and watchful rather than violent, a scene of waiting. The winter palette suits a study, a hallway, or a living-room wall, and its muted blues and whites sit calmly beside wood and stone.
This artwork is made to order in three forms. The unframed poster is printed on heavy ma . . . Read More >>
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) made this print as one scene from the Chūshingura, the celebrated drama of the forty-seven loyal retainers. The play recounts a true event: after their lord was forced to take his own life, his masterless samurai waited, then carried out a long-planned revenge. Hiroshige illustrated the eleven acts of the story more than once during his career.
Act XI is the night of the attack. This first scene gathers the retainers in deep winter, with snow on the trees, figures crossing a bridge, and a boat passing beneath it. Hiroshige cut the design as a colour woodblock print, using soft greys and blues to hold the cold, quiet hour before the raid.
The mood is still and watchful rather than violent, a scene of waiting. The winter palette suits a study, a hallway, or a living-room wall, and its muted blues and whites sit calmly beside wood and stone.
This artwork is made to order in three forms. The unframed poster is printed on heavy matte paper. The framed edition sits behind shatter-resistant acrylic, lighter and safer than glass. The canvas option is satin-coated cotton, stretched over a solid wooden frame. Each format keeps the cool winter tones of the original.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Chūshingura?
The Chūshingura is a famous Japanese drama about forty-seven loyal retainers who avenged their lord. It draws on a real event of the early eighteenth century.
What happens in Act XI?
Act XI is the climax: the night attack on the enemy's mansion. This first scene shows the retainers gathering in the snow before the raid.
Who was Utagawa Hiroshige?
Hiroshige (1797–1858) was one of the great masters of the Japanese woodblock landscape, admired for his weather, light, and quiet human scenes.
Why is the scene set in snow?
The historic attack took place on a snowy winter night. Hiroshige uses the snow and pale light to build a hushed, expectant mood.
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Japan historical period: Edo 江戸 (1603-1868)
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