Who painted Chushingura: Act I of The Storehouse of Loyalty?

Chushingura: Act I of The Storehouse of Loyalty was painted by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1794.

Where can I see Chushingura: Act I of The Storehouse of Loyalty?

Chushingura: Act I of The Storehouse of Loyalty is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Chushingura: Act I of The Storehouse of Loyalty?

Chushingura: Act I of The Storehouse of Loyalty is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Chushingura: Act I of The Storehouse of Loyalty

Kitagawa Utamaro , 1794

Chushingura: Act I of The Storehouse of Loyalty is a print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Chushingura: Act I of The Storehouse of Loyalty is a Japanese woodblock print executed around 1794 by the Edo‑period artist Kitagawa Utamaro. The work forms part of a series illustrating the famed tale of the forty‑seven rōnin, and it is currently in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a gentleman in formal attire, complete with a hat, kimono, cup and fan, surrounded by three women, one of whom cradles a small bird. The composition suggests a moment of domestic or ceremonial gathering, echoing themes of loyalty and service central to the Chushingura narrative.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employs the multicolored woodblock technique, layering pigments to achieve a vivid backdrop of yellow, orange, and black. Intricate patterns adorn the figures’ garments and accessories, demonstrating the artist’s attention to textile detail and his skill in rendering texture through fine carving and careful registration.

History & Provenance

Created in the late eighteenth century, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the twentieth century, joining a broader assemblage of ukiyo‑e works that document everyday life and literary subjects of the Edo period.