{"product_id":"edo-1808-ehon-chushingura-forty-seven-ronin-set-of-3-illustrated-by-katsushika-hokusai","title":"Edo 1808 Ehon Chūshingura  Forty-Seven Rōnin -Set of 3. Illustrated by Katsushika Hokusai","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eGood antique condition considering these \u003cstrong\u003ethree books were printed more than 215 years ago\u003c\/strong\u003e. There is some insect and water damage, including wear around portions of the pages and edges. Despite this age-related deterioration, the woodblock illustrations remain in good condition overall, with strong black ink and clearly defined linework. The images retain considerable detail and remain visually impressive. Upon inspection, \u003cstrong\u003ethere do not appear to be any missing pages\u003c\/strong\u003e. All \u003cstrong\u003ethree original books are included together as one set\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDating to \u003cstrong\u003e1808 (Bunka 5)\u003c\/strong\u003e, this set of three original Edo-period woodblock-printed books is from \u003cstrong\u003eEhon Chūshingura (絵本忠臣蔵)\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cem\u003eIllustrated Treasury of Loyal Retainers\u003c\/em\u003e. The work presents an extensively illustrated version of the famous \u003cstrong\u003eForty-Seven Rōnin \/ Akō vendetta\u003c\/strong\u003e, with illustrations by \u003cstrong\u003eKatsushika Hokusai (葛飾北斎)\u003c\/strong\u003e and text by \u003cstrong\u003eTakizawa Bakin (滝沢馬琴 \/ 曲亭馬琴)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe three books contain numerous detailed woodblock illustrations depicting samurai, court officials, residences, gardens, ceremonies, confrontations, and other important episodes from the \u003cem\u003eChūshingura\u003c\/em\u003e narrative. Many of the illustrations occupy entire pages or two-page spreads, creating elaborate scenes filled with architecture, costumes, weapons, landscapes, and finely carved decorative details.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the identifiable figures is \u003cstrong\u003eEnya Hangan Takasada (塩谷判官高貞)\u003c\/strong\u003e, the fictionalized counterpart of the historical \u003cstrong\u003eAsano Naganori\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003eKō no Moronao (高師直)\u003c\/strong\u003e represents Kira Yoshinaka, whose conflict with Asano ultimately led to the famous Akō vendetta. The contents also reference \u003cstrong\u003eEnya Hangan's seppuku\u003c\/strong\u003e, the pivotal event that sets the revenge of his loyal retainers in motion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe historical \u003cstrong\u003eAkō Incident of 1701–1703\u003c\/strong\u003e became one of Japan's most celebrated stories of loyalty, honor, and samurai revenge. In \u003cem\u003eChūshingura\u003c\/em\u003e, the events were transferred to an earlier historical setting and the principal participants were given fictionalized names.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrinted from \u003cstrong\u003ehand-carved wooden blocks in sumi ink on traditional Japanese paper\u003c\/strong\u003e, these books demonstrate the sophisticated craftsmanship of early nineteenth-century Japanese publishing. The extensive illustrations make the set particularly visually engaging and preserve an extraordinary amount of detail despite more than two centuries of age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered together as a \u003cstrong\u003ethree-book set\u003c\/strong\u003e, these surviving 1808 volumes combine one of Japan's most enduring samurai narratives with the work of two major figures of Edo-period culture.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Echoes of Edo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49482919313667,"sku":null,"price":20000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/5965\/1587\/files\/photo-collage.png_36_b6ab788d-2501-4b0e-8cf7-641714a7e2c8.png?v=1787110869","url":"https:\/\/echoesofedo.com\/products\/edo-1808-ehon-chushingura-forty-seven-ronin-set-of-3-illustrated-by-katsushika-hokusai","provider":"Echoes of Edo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}