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Katsukawa Shunsho

Act Two: The House of Kakogawa Honzo from the play Chushingura (Treasury of Loyal Retainers)

c. 1779/80
Color woodblock print; chuban
26.6 × 19.5 cm (10.5 × 7.7 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This scene introduces the classic theme of a young betrothed couple torn between their mutual love for each other and the family loyalties that divide them. The samurai is Rikiya, one of Lord Asano’s retainers and the son of Kuranosuke, Chamberlain and leader of the forty-seven samurai retainers. His betrothed is Konami, daughter of Honzo, a chief retainer to the shogun. As Rikiya delivers the message to Honzo‘s wife that the provincial Lords Asano and Wakasa must appear at the shogun’s court the next day, he (Rikiya) has the opportunity to see his beloved. The couple is too shy to make contact, however, and Rikiya leaves without speaking to Konami.

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