Utagawa Kuniteru was born in Edo, and went by many names.
He was called Sadashige until 1844, then Kunitsuna II,
and was known to also sign his work as Ichiyusai. He was a pupil of
Kunisada and Toyokuni. Following his training he worked in the
tradition of the Utagawa school, therefore he took up that name as well. He
produced prints of a wide variety of subjects, including many showing Western
influences on Japan. These represent the ongoing changes in Japan from
the old Edo to the Meiji era, illustrating the beginning of industrialization
in Japan. His main output of prints took the form of book illustrations
and single-sheet ukiyo-e.
Kanadehon Chushingur Act IX: Scene at Oboshi Yuranosuke's Home in Yamashina, Kyoto, ca. 1850
Kanadehon Chushingura Act IV: Scene at Enya Hangan's Castle in Kamakura; Oboshi Yuranosuke Pledges to take Revenge, ca. 1850
Kanadegon Chushingura Act VI: Kanpei's Suicide at the House of Yoichibei, ca. 1850
Kanadehon Chushingura Act II: Scene at the Quarter of Momonoi Wakasanosuke, ca. 1850
Kanadehon Chushingura Act III: Scene at the Palace in Kamakura, ca. 1850
From the series Kanadehon Chushingura (Model of the Kana
Syllabary: The Forty-seven Loyal Retainers).
Tonase and her
daughter Konami (far left) arrive to Yuranosuke's home in Yamashina
since Konami is to be married to Yuranosuke's son Rikiya. Yuranosuke's
wife Oishi (lying on the floor) refuses the marriage between Rikiya and
Konami because Kakogawa Honzo had bribed Moronao. Honzo also arrives to
Yamashina. He stands behind Oishi and purposely insults Rikiya (far
right). Rikiya is thus forced to stab Honzo. The dying Honzo there
showing his loyalty by presenting a detailed plan of Moronao's mansion
as a farewell gift to Oishi. He also entrusts his daughter into Oishi's
care.
Publisher: Izumiya Ichibei, Edo
From the series: Kanadehon Chushigura (Model of the Kana Syllabary: The
Forty-seven Loyal Retainers).
In Hangan's castle the lady Kaoyo
creates a cherry blossom arrangement in an attempt to divert Hangan's
attention from his troubles with Moronao (scene on the left). Two
officials stand by as Hangan is forced to commit seppuku. In front of
the gate of the castle, Yuranosuke, the chief minister of Enya Hangan,
and other retainers are driven out of their dead master Hangan's place.
They pledge to avenge their master Hangan. Yuranosuke displays the sword
with which Hangan had committed suciide while an official orders the
masterless loyal retainers (ronin) to disperse.
Publisher:
Izumiya Ichibei, Edo
From the series: Kanadehon
Chushingura (Model of the Kana Syllabary: The Forty-seven Loyal
Retainers) In the distance Okaru, Kanpei's beloved, is carried away to
the brothel in a palanquin. Kanpei hears that the purse he retrieved
from a highway robber whom he had killed was the money aid to Yoichibei
by the brothel for Okaru. When Yoichibei's dead body is delivered Kanpei
begins to fear that the man he accidentally had shot was Yoichibei. He
is unjustly accused as Yoichibei's murderer by Okaru's mother. Kanei
commits seppuku in front of Okaru's mother and Senzaki Yogoro who
arrives to pick up the money on behalf of the revenge party of the
forty-seven loyal ronin. The wounds on Yoichibei's body do however soon
prove to his family that he had been killed by a sword and not with a
gun. Kanpei is pardoned and included as a member o the vendetta party
just before he passes away.
Publisher: Izumiya Ichibei
From the series: Kanadehon Chushingura (Model of the Kana
Syllbary: The Forty-seven Loyal Retainers). Oboshi's son Rikiya brings
the message that Wakasanosuke and Hangan have been summoned to the
palace before dawn the following day. Onami, the daughter of Honzo, and
her betrothed Rikiya meet on the veranda in the foreground. Behind the
shoji door Tonase, the mother of Konami, listens to their conversation.
In the background, Wakasanosuke discusses his plan to take revenge on
the villain Moronao. Kakogawa Honzo, the chief counsellor to
Wakasanosuke borrows his master's sword and cuts off the branch of a
pine tree to demonstrate his anger and frustration. Honzo knows it is
useless to protest the hot-tempered Wakasanosuke's decision. He also
knows the dangerous consequences of taking action against the powerful
Moronao.
Publisher: Izumiya Ichibei, Edo
From the series: Kanadehon Chushingura (Model of the Kana Syllabary: The
Forty-seven Loyal Retainer). Hangan attacks Moronao in the palace. By
the gate in the foreground, Hangan's retainer Kanpei, in the company of
his beloved Okaru, learns of his master's arrest for attacking Moronao.
Kanpei swears that he will commit seppuku (disembowlment). Okaru does
however convince him that they should escape to her father Yoichibei's
home. There thet are married and Kanpei remains alive in order to
participate in the revenge on Moronao.
Publisher: Izumiya
Ichibei, Edo
