Sawamura Chōjūrō V as Momonoi Wakasanosuke

The Kamakura official Momonoi Wakasanosuke appears as a positive character in the first act of the drama “47 Rōnins. A Model Story or the Treasure of Samurai Loyalty” (Kanadehon Chūshiingura), which tells the story of revenge taken by 47 samurais for the death of their master Enya Hangano Takasada. It is based on a real event, which took place in 1701–1703. Its first version in the genre of marionette theatre was staged in 1748 and, not much later, it appeared in the kabuki theatre repertoire (never to be removed). The print depicts an aristocrat wearing a typical blue cloak with a large family crest and a ritual garment while talking to the intriguer and master of ceremonies Kō no Moronao. The print includes a description of the role, the artist’s signature and the censor’s stamps Murata and Mera, which make it possible to date the sheet more precisely, as well as the publisher’s seal Sanoki. (See Helena Honcoopová, Kunisada, Praha 2005, p. 128)