Fifth Act
- Date:
- 1860, 4th lunar month
- Medium:
- Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 15.9 × 23.5 cm
- Source:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
Description
The "Fifth Act" of the Chushingura depicts the ronin leader Ōboshi Yuranosuke in the Ichiriki teahouse in Kyoto, feigning debauchery to deceive the spies of their enemy Kira Yoshinaka while secretly planning the vendetta. This act is one of the most dramatically rich in the entire cycle—the contrast between Yuranosuke's outward dissolution and his inward iron resolve has captivated dramatists and artists for centuries. Yoshitoshi's 1860 rendering captures the theatrical tension of the scene with compositional economy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Fifth Act was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年) in 1860, 4th lunar month.
Fifth Act depicts figures, kabuki, and warriors.
Fifth Act measures 15.9 × 23.5 cm (Oban format).