The "Third Act" of the Chushingura series, produced in 1860, depicts the fateful confrontation in which Lord Asano draws his blade against the court official Kō no Moronao within the shogun's palace—an act that set the forty-seven ronin vendetta in motion. Yoshitoshi captures the explosive moment with compositional economy, the confined space of the palace corridor amplifying the violence of the act. This early series demonstrates his early mastery of theatrical staging translated into the woodblock medium.



1888
Color woodblock print; oban

n.d.
Color woodblock print
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Third Act was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年) in 1860, 4th lunar month.
Third Act depicts figures, kabuki, and warriors.
Third Act measures 15.7 × 23.5 cm (Oban format).