Minneapolis Institute of Art

Actor Arashi Ryūzō II as Teraoka Heiemon

Katsukawa Shun'ei; Publisher: Iwatoya Kisaburō

Date

1795, 4th lunar month

Medium

Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Illustrating a scene from act 7 of Chūshingura, this print shows the actor Arashi Ryūzō II in the role of Heiemon performed at Edo's Miyako Theater in the 4th month of 1795. Heiemon is a foot soldier of the late lord Enya. When he finds out that his sister Okaru has accidentally read a letter about the plot to avenge his master, he decides that he must kill Okaru to protect the secret. Moved by Heiemon's self-sacrifice and loyalty, Yuranosuke, the mastermind of the revenge plan, spares Okaru and allows Heiemon to join the vendetta. Appearing only in act 7, Heiemon is a rather minor character. Nonetheless, Kabuki fans have long loved this character of an honorable man with a humble background. Japan, Asia

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