[Japan] Theatre Poster for Kana Dehon Chuushingura / 47 Ronin c1920

Japan, 1920. Very Good Mounted Poster. Very Good.

Minor repair at top left corner; minor creasing repaired in mounting; near fine. The left side says the performance will begin on xx month xx day but the number for the month and day is blank. The bottom white space would have shown the venue and is not completed. . A theatrical advertisement in the style of ukiyo-e for a Bunraku or Kabuki rendition of the 47 Ronin, the story of loyal former samurai who plot revenge for their wronged daimyo lord. Color lithograph poster professionally mounted on linen. 108.3 by 78.3 cm (42.75 by 30.75 inches)

Background Information:
The historical event, known as the Ako incident, took place in the early years of the 18th century but quickly became the stuff of legend.

The story goes that Asano Naganori, lord of Ako, was requested to help carry out certain duties at the shogun's court. Kira, a court official, was assigned to instruct Asano in court etiquette, but treated him with such open contempt that the country lord drew his sword in anger and attacked.

This breach of palace protocol was so grave that it mandated ritual suicide, leaving Asano's 47 samurai as ronin: warriors without a master.

The ronin pledged revenge and after two years of planning staged a night-time attack, beheading Kira. They then turned themselves in, submitting to their own ritual suicides.