Act V
1806
A barefoot samurai lunges aggressively across a wooden bridge, sword drawn, towards a figure cowering beneath a large, inscribed umbrella in this dramatic scene from the play 'The Treasury of Loyal Retainers.' Created by Hokusai early in his career—long before his famous 'Great Wave'—this print illustrates Act V of the legendary 47 Ronin story. The composition is filled with tension, featuring a long red wall in the background, scattered haystacks, and fleeing figures that suggest a chaotic aftermath. The bold lines and flat colors are classic hallmarks of ukiyo-e woodblock printing.
- Technique
- Woodblock print
- Material
- Paper