Kuniyoshi: The Faithful Samurai is a pioneering publication dealing with the
famous Kuniyoshi series of the 47 masterless samurai (ronin). It contains two
complete series: Seicho gishi den (The faithful samurai, 1847-48) and its
sequel Seicho gishin den, (The faithful hearts, 1848). This true
nineteenth-century tale of 47 ronin avenging the death of their lord is
enormously popular in Japan. The dramatized version, commonly known as
Chushingura, (Treasury of loyal retainers), has endured for over 250 years
as one of Japan´s most popular Kabuki plays. Its heroes were often depicted in
Ukiyo-e prints. Kuniyoshi was a master in the genre of warrior prints, and his
series expressively portrays these warrior ´folk heroes´. This publication also
includes translations of the texts recounting each hero´s exploits that appear
on the prints.
