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Introduction, from the series The Treasury of Loyal Retainers

Ando Hiroshige

Edo period (1615-1868), 1836

The Chushingura is a tale set in the Edo period (1615-1868). It was written about 1748 for the puppet theater, but is now most famous as a Kabuki play. It recalls an incident that took place on the night of January 30, 1703, in which the retainers of a disgraced lord break into the mansion of their archenemy and murder him. The vendetta completed on their lord’s false accuser, the forty-seven ronin (masterless samurai) were arrested and sentenced to death. Because of their sense of duty to their lord, the Shogun permitted the brave warriors the honor death by hara-kiri (ritual suicide).


In the opening scene of the play, the Shogun has just defeated his enemy. Morono supervises the celebration ceremony, attended by Wakasa and Hangan, where a special helmet will be chosen and presented to the shrine. Hangan’s wife has been summoned to select the special helmet.

  • Titles Introduction, from the series The Treasury of Loyal Retainers (Proper)@「忠臣蔵　大序」 (Proper)@The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers (Chushingura), Scene 1: The Helmet Identification at Hachiman Shrine (Former title)
  • Artist Ando Hiroshige, Japanese, 1797 - 1858
  • Medium ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions 9 3/8 x 14 1/4 in. (23.8 x 36.2 cm)
  • Credit Line Gift of the Utagawa-ha Monjin-kai, 1994.142.69
  • Work Type woodblock print
  • Classification Prints

See More of the Collection

Shindoazu (Pond) Uyeno, Tokio (.38, recto); Ikegami Pagoda (.39, verso), Attributed to Kusakabe Kimbei, hand-colored albumen prints mounted to album page
Includes burning matchlock pistol/rifle
One of eight scenes of planting and harvesting rice and the various stages of silk production. The set was intended to be mounted as a folding screen.
Head Ornament with Alternating Raised and Lowered Trapezoidal Folds and Bulbous Finials. Pierced point suggests a thread or wire one would pass through the ends. Originally dated "Old Silla"