Kuniyoshi: The Faithful Samurai

Book Description
A pioneering publication which deals with the most famous series - the 'Seishu gishi den' (1847-48) and its sequel the 'Seishu gishin den' (1848) - of the forty-seven masterless samurai (ronin) by artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861). The true 18th century tale of revenge by forty-seven ronin for the death of their lord was enormously popular in Japan: it was dramatised for the Kabuki theatre and its heroes were often depicted in Ukiyo-e prints. Kuniyoshi was a master in the genre of warrior prints, and his series expressively portrays these warrior 'folk heroes'. Dr. Weinberg's book also includes translations of the texts which appear on the prints and which recount each hero's exploits. In addition, there are photographs of the relics of the masterless samurai and the ruins of their castle in Ako. This magnificent book contains 89 colour illustrations.

Language Notes
Text: English, Japanese (translation)
Original Language: Japanese

About the Author
David R. Weinberg is often described as a 'renaissance man'. He was educated at Columbia University, holds a doctorate degree in Comparative Literature from Michigan State University and a diploma from the Athens Conservatory of Music. An international educator and scholar, he has been the recipient of many awards. Dr. Weinberg has written books and articles on ancient Greek literature and culture, classical music and Japanese art. He has been a collector of Japanese woodblock prints for over twenty years.


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"Kuniyoshi The Faithful Samurai" is a pioneering publication dealing with the famous Kuniyoshi series of the 47 masterless samurai ("r￯﾿ﾽnin"). It contains two complete series: "Seich￯﾿ﾽ gishi den" ("The faithful samurai, 1847-48") and its sequel "Seich￯﾿ﾽ gishin den", ("The faithful hearts, 1848"). This true 18th-century tale of 47 "r￯﾿ﾽnin" avenging the death of their lord is enormously popular in Japan. The dramatized version, commonly known as "Ch￯﾿ﾽshingura", ("Treasury of loyal retainers"), has endured for over 250 years as one of Japan's most popular Kabuki plays. Its heroes were often depicted in Ukiyo-e prints. Kuniyoshi was a master in the genre of warrior prints, and his series expressively portrays these warrior 'folk heroes'. This publication also includes translations of the texts recounting each hero's exploits that appear on the prints.


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