Hazama Kihei Mitsunobu 間喜兵衛光延 / Gishi shijushichi zu 義士四十七図

From the 'Gishi shijushichi zu' (Pictures of the Forty-Seven Loyal Retainers) series, this print depicts Hazama Kihei Mitsunobu, one of the ronin who participated in the assault on Kira Yoshinaka's compound in January 1703. Gekko's individual portraits within this series characterize each retainer through pose, weaponry, and expression, translating the dramatic loyalty narrative into a gallery of distinct warrior personalities. Hazama Kihei was one of the younger members of the group. Gekko depicts him in the action-oriented manner characteristic of his musha-e work — likely in partial armor or winter raid attire — using dynamic figure placement and strong ink line work to convey readiness and resolve. The series reflects Meiji Japan's sustained popular interest in the Ako ronin as exemplars of samurai ethics.