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Essay about Chushingura Chushingura

Revenge of the 47 Samurai

Scene VIII by Yoshitora
Yoshitora

Scene VIII, 1852
Woodcut
228 x 352 mm.

William Bridges Thayer Memorial Collection, 1928.7666

Act VII & VIII

Yuranosuke makes various attempts to fool Moronao's spies, who are convinced that Enya's former retainers are bent on revenge. Act VIII is often enacted as a michiyuki (dance interlude) describing the bridal journey of Konami, Honzo's daughter, to the home of Rikiya, her betrothed. The action is mimed while singers describe the places and events of the journey. It is now autumn; eighteen months have passed since Enya's death.