Chushingura and the Floating World: The Representation of Kanadehon Chushingura in Ukiyo-E Prints

by David J. Bell

Kanadehon Chushingura has been one of the most popular bunraku and kabuki plays. This fascinating study explores the full spectrum of ukiyo-e (floating world) representations of the Chushingura story. Essential reading for all students of Japanese theatre, the history of Japanese art and the social history of Japan.

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 10, 2001

Reviews

[Stray Toki]

The book tells in detail how Chushingura was depicted by the famous masters of ukiyo-e, what was the reasoning behind their choice of scenes, what references helped the viewer to identify the characters and the act of the play in the prints, and how the search for new artistic solutions continued in various series of works on this seemingly hackneyed subject.

Книжка в деталях рассказывает о том, как Тюсингура изображалась знаменитыми мастерами укиё-э, чем обоснован их выбор сцен, какие отсылки помогали зрителю определить персонажей и акт постановки на гравюрах, и как продолжался поиск интересных художественных решений в новых сериях работ по, казалось бы, избитой теме.