Authentic Utagawa Kuniyoshi Woodblock Print Oishi Kuranosuke, 47 Ronin, 1847

Authentic Utagawa Kuniyoshi Woodblock Print Oishi Kuranosuke, 47 Ronin, 1847
Authentic Utagawa Kuniyoshi Woodblock Print Oishi Kuranosuke, 47 Ronin, 1847
Authentic Utagawa Kuniyoshi Woodblock Print Oishi Kuranosuke, 47 Ronin, 1847
Authentic Utagawa Kuniyoshi Woodblock Print Oishi Kuranosuke, 47 Ronin, 1847
Authentic Utagawa Kuniyoshi Woodblock Print Oishi Kuranosuke, 47 Ronin, 1847
Authentic Utagawa Kuniyoshi Woodblock Print Oishi Kuranosuke, 47 Ronin, 1847
Authentic Utagawa Kuniyoshi Woodblock Print Oishi Kuranosuke, 47 Ronin, 1847
Authentic Utagawa Kuniyoshi Woodblock Print Oishi Kuranosuke, 47 Ronin, 1847

Authentic Utagawa Kuniyoshi Woodblock Print Oishi Kuranosuke, 47 Ronin, 1847
Key Details. Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Subject: Oishi Kuranosuke, leader of the 47 Ronin. Series: Seichu gishi den c. Oishi is depicted seated in seiza, exuding dignity and resolve, with his hand on his sword, symbolizing readiness. His detailed armor features a fan motif (authority) on the shoulder guards, fish-scale patterns (resilience) on the arm guards, and a chrysanthemum crest (loyalty) on the thigh guards. The kimono displays a floral pattern (15 chrysanthemums, symbolizing nobility), while the hakama has geometric shapes (order). The print bears censor seals (likely “Aratame” and a zodiac year, 1847) and the publisher’s mark of Yamamoto-ya Heikichi, a prominent Edo publisher. Soiling: 10 foxing spots (0.1-0.3 cm diameter), mostly on the shoji screen and wooden wall, likely from humidity and fungal growth. Partial Backing: The print has a partial backing (likely starch-based adhesive), causing localized discoloration. Margins: Trimmed to 0.3-0.5 cm, indicating prior framing or storage adjustments. Historical Value: A direct connection to the 47 Ronin story, a cornerstone of Japanese culture, depicted by one of ukiyo-e’s greatest artists. Cleaning, crease reduction, this print could increase in value, as Kuniyoshi’s works continue to appreciate in the art market.
Authentic Utagawa Kuniyoshi Woodblock Print Oishi Kuranosuke, 47 Ronin, 1847