Label on verso, upper right: Bai VI 9. On verso in pencil, lower edge: Koitsu, 1933, Takanawa Sengakuji Temple. On mat in pencil: Koitsu, Sengakuji Temple, Takanawa, 54.1.113. Signed: Koitsu. Artist's seal: Shin. Printer: Goto. Carver: Katsumura.

Colored ink on paper; woodblock print.

Color woodblock print in modern Japanese style, with a very dark scene, showing the interior of a temple in the distance, by candlelight inside. The Buddhist temple where the 47 Ronin are enshrined is located in the southeast part of old Tokyo, and each year on the anniversary of the vendetta, the temple grounds are crowded with pilgrims and tourists. They say they come out respect for the loyalty and self-sacrifice demonstrated by the ronin. The temple of Sengaku-ji is usually included on day tours of the city organized by Japanese travel agents and historical associations. But residents of the neighborhood also come daily to honor these heroes, lighting incense and saying prayers for the respose of the ronin spirits. While the lithograph records the tourist site, Koitsu gives a sense of the quiet temple surroundings in after hours.

Doi Sadaichi seal.

This object has the following keywords:

• Showa Period
• Temples

This object is a member of the following portfolios: