Book Gishi shijūshichishi no zu - images of 47 faithful ronin

This woodcut series, hand-bound in the form of a drop-down book, is somewhat reminiscent of a comic book - each page is divided into four rectangles, with one character depicted in each. These are daimyō Naganori Asano and the 47 ronin. The story of the 47 ronin is one of the most famous stories in Japanese culture and has become a symbol of Japanese loyalty, fidelity and respect for samurai traditions. The tale of the 47 ronin has been adapted many times in literature, theater and film, contributing to its spread around the world as a symbol of Japanese spirit and ethics.
Author unknown
Publisher: Yonejirō Matsuno
Dating: 1892.
Page dimensions: 12, 5 cm x 19 cm
Number of pages: 12
Dimensions of a single graphic: 6 cm x 9 cm