Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print

Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print

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Title: Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden (Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers), 1869. A Near Complete Set of 49 of 50 Ukiyo-E Prints Depicting the 47 Ronin, and only Lacking the Preface Print
Author: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Publisher: Maruya Jimpachi
Condition: Fair

A largely complete, and impressive Early Meiji Period set of Yoshitoshi’s Seichū Hishi Meimei Gaden, or Pictorial Biographies of the Loyal Retainers, being his series of ukiyo-e prints depicting the 47 Ronin, often depicted in Chūshingura, the fictionalized accounts of the historical incident relating to the Ronin and their mission to avenge the death of their master, Asano Naganori.

The only print that is lacking, is the initial preface. All of the Ronin, and the bonus prints depicting Asano Naganori and Kira Yoshinaka, are present, though they have been numbered by pencil incorrectly.

Each print has been signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu, with a paulownia seal present to most of the prints.

The depictions of each print are as followed:

#2. Kira Kōzuke no Suke standing dressed in court robes.
#3. Asano Takumi no Kami in a threatening posture.
#4. Yoshida Chūzaemon seated on a stool holding a spear on his shoulder.
#5. Ōishi Chikara rushing in attack while a naginata is thrown at him.
#6. Chikamatsu Kanroku standing with his spear.
#7. Manase Kyūdayū on his right knee resting on his katana.
#8. Onodera Jūnai behind a painted screen while holding his naginata.
#9. Hayami Tōzaemon warding off coal bundles flying at him.
#10. Semba Saburobei holding a lamp.
#11. Kanzaki Yogorō by a painted tsuitate, his katana above his head.
#12. Sugaya Hannojō holding the head of an enemy.
#13. Hazama Shinroku washing a severed head.
#14. Manase Magokurō smashing a jar with his club.
#15. Muramatsu Kihei holding a brush and a log.
#16. Kimura Okaemon holding the katana with both hands.
#17. Fuwa Katsuemon looking down at a dead enemy, a bloodstained katana in his hand.
#18. Ōtaka Gengo drinking from a dipper.
#19. Muramatsu Sandayū in the snow, unsheathing his katana.
#20. Kurahashi Densuke standing by a broken door.
#21. Maebara Isuke holding his katana, pieces of paper lingering in the air around him.
#22. Kaiga Yazaemon climbing a wooden frame.
#23. Sugino Juheiji holding a dipper and a bucket.
#24. Kayano Wasuke in the snow, holding the katana between his teeth.
#25. Onodera Kōemon holding his spear in the snow.
#26. Okuda Sadaemon stepping over a dead enemy.
#27. Yazu Uemonshichi striking a painted scroll with his katana.
#28. Terasaka Kichiemon lifting a candle holder above his head.
#29. Mitsumura Jirōemon fencing off arrows with his naginata.
#30. Yokogawa Kampei coming out from behind a decorated curtain.
#31. Okajima Yasoemon holding his spear with a severed head.
#32. Hazama Jūjirō seated with a tantō in front of him.
#33. Yata Gorōemon warming up by a fireplace.
#34. Shiota Matanojō with his spear stepping over a tray with cups.
#35. Nakamura Kansuke in the snow, shooting an arrow from behind a tree.
#36. Yoshida Sawaemon falling sidewards, a drape around him.
#37. Katsuta Shinzaemon holding a lamp and looking down to a cat.
#38. Takebayashi Tadashichi tying his belt, his armour and weapons on the floor.
#39. Isogai Jūrōzaemon tying his helmet.
#40. Tomimori Sukeemon fencing off a bronze brazier.
#41. Okuda Magodayū holding the katana with both hands above his head.
#42. Ōishi Sezaemon fencing off an armour wooden box.
#43. Okano Kinemon strangling an enemy with bare hands.
#44. Horibe Yasubei running over a broken screen.
#45. Akagaki Genzō seated with a sake cup in hand.
#46. Hazama Kihei wielding his katana with both hands.
#47. Kataoka Gengoemon holding his spear, a basket on the ground.
#48. Horibe Yahei by a broken flower vase, wiping the blade of his katana.
#49. Hara Sōemon looking far away.
#50. Ōishi Kuranosuke seated on a campstool about to hit the drum.

All the prints have been laid onto sheets of paper for additional preservation, or possibly for framing/hanging purposes, which a prior owner crudely did at one point

49 Ukiyo-e prints, roughly 25.7 x 18.3 cm

These prints are in fair shape, with wear and staining to each of the prints. There is a small corner tear to one print, and two with corner lackings, though the main illustrations remain largely unaffected.