Title: A Long Letter Attributed to Oishi Yoshio, Chamberlain of Ako Clan, Circa 1650-1700. Written by the Leader of the 47 Ronin
Author: Attributed to Oishi Yoshio
Condition: Very Good
An Early Edo Period, mid to late 17th century handscroll, containing a long calligraphical letter, the authorship attributed to Oishi Yoshio (1659-1703), leader of the 47 Ronin, written and signed in his scriptural style. Serving as Chamberlain of the Ako Clan Harima during the early Edo period, Yoshio was the chief retainer of Asano Naganori. After the Asano clan was brought to ruin and Naganori was made to comitt seppuku as punishment for his failed attempt to kill Kira Yoshinaka, he and 46 other Ako ronin raided the Kira residence in Edo in January 1703, and took the head of Yoshinaka, avenging his lord. He was placed in the custody of the Hosokawa family by order of the shogunate, and the following year, he was ordered to commit seppuku.
The calligraphy has been laid down and bound in a scroll for preservation, with a beautiful brocade decorated cover of golden stripes against blue, and there are jikusaki (knobs) made of lacquered wood.
One brocade bound handscroll of calligraphy, 21.3 x 126 cm
This handscroll is in very good shape, with minimal rubbing and wear to the brocade. There are worm tracks throughout, partially, but not completely obscuring some letters.