The "Twelfth Act" of the Chushingura (1860) depicts the climactic revenge raid itself—the forty-seven ronin storming Kira Yoshinaka's mansion in the snowy night of 1703, overwhelming his guards and finding the elderly target hiding in a coal shed. After verifying his identity, they offered him the honorable death of seppuku; when he refused, they cut off his head and carried it to their master's grave. Yoshitoshi's early treatment of this most dramatic act focuses on the chaos and determination of the raiding party.



1888
Color woodblock print; oban

n.d.
Color woodblock print
Woodblock print

c. 1832/38
Color woodblock print; oban

Yuki no Miyajima
1929
Color woodblock print; oban

1932
Woodblock print
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Twelfth Act was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年) in 1860, 5th lunar month.
Twelfth Act depicts snow scenes, night scenes, and warriors.
Twelfth Act measures 16 × 23.3 cm (Oban format).