All illustrations used with the permission of the National Theatre of Japan, TÅkyÅ.
1 Lord Asano (Nakamura Baigyoku IV) struggles with Kajikawa (Nakamura KichisaburÅ I). Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in October, 2006 20
2 Lord Asano (Nakamura Baigyoku IV) listens respectfully as his sentence is read out by ShÅda (Sawamura YoshijirÅ V). Seated behind are (from left) Tamura (BandÅ HikosaburÅ VIII, later, BandÅ Rakuzen), Okado (Nakamura KashÅ III, later, Nakamura MatagorÅ III) and Åkubo (Nakamura KichigorÅ II). Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in October, 2006 38
3 Onodera (Nakamura Karoku V) reports the news from KyÅto to Kuranosuke (Nakamura Kichiemon II). Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in October, 2006 67
4 Åishi Kuranosuke (Nakamura Kichiemon II) speaks to Izeki TokubÄ (Nakamura TomijÅ«rÅ V) and his son Monzaemon (Nakamura Hayato). Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in October, 2006 105
5 Åishi Kuranosuke (Nakamura Kichiemon II) confides in TokubÄ (Nakamura TomijÅ«rÅ V) as he commits seppuku. Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in October, 2006 144
6 Åishi Kuranosuke (Sakata TÅjÅ«rÅ VI) and the courtesan Ukihashi (Kataoka HidetarÅ II). Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in November, 2006 165
7 Okiyo (Nakamura Senjaku III) tells Lord Tsunatoyo (Nakamura Baigyoku IV) what happened earlier, as Ejima (Nakamura Kaishun II) looks on. Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in November, 2006 217
8 Okiyo (Nakamura Senjaku III) stops Sukeâemon (Nakamura Kanjaku V, later, Nakamura GanjirÅ IV) from acting too rashly. Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in November, 2006 257
9 Sukeâemon (Nakamura KashÅ IV) is shocked when he realises that he has attacked Lord Tsunatoyo (Nakamura Senjaku III). Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in March, 2019 263
10 Asanoâs widow, YÅzen-in (Nakamura TokizÅ V, later, Nakamura Manju I) probes Kuranosuke (Sakata TÅjÅ«rÅ IV)âs intentions, as the maid Oume (Kamimura Kichiya VI) looks on. Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in November, 2006 294
11 Hagura (Kataoka Ainosuke VI) vents his anger on Kuranosuke (Sakata TÅjÅ«rÅ IV). Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in November, 2006 308
12 Åishi Kuranosuke (Sakata TÅjÅ«rÅ IV) leaves the mansion. Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in November, 2006 311
13 Outside the gate of Kiraâs mansion: (from right) Horibe (Nakamura Karoku V), Isogai (Nakamura ShinjirÅ, later, Nakamura Kinnosuke II), Åtaka (BandÅ Kametoshi, later, BandÅ KamezÅ III) and Hazama (Ichikawa KomazÅ XI). Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in December, 2006 323
14 Åishi Kuranosuke (Matsumoto KÅshirÅ IX, later, Matsumoto HakuÅ II) outside the gate of Kiraâs mansion. Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in December, 2006 346
15 Åishi Kuranosuke (Matsumoto KÅshirÅ IX, later, Matsumoto HakuÅ II) tells the rÅnin, including his son Chikara (BandÅ Minosuke II), to burn incense before Asanoâs grave. Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in December, 2006 372
16 In the Great Reception Room all the rÅnin gather around Kuranosuke (Matsumoto KÅshirÅ IX, later, Matsumoto HakuÅ II). Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in December, 2006 447
17 Lord Sengoku (BandÅ MitsugorÅ X) speaks to Kuranosuke (Matsumoto KÅshirÅ IX, later, Matsumoto HakuÅ II) as he departs. Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in December, 2006 471
18 Lord Hosokawaâs son, Naiki (Nakamura Baishi IV, later, Nakamura TokizÅ VI) is anxious to see Kuranosuke (Matsumoto KÅshirÅ IX, later, Matsumoto HakuÅ II). Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in December, 2006 496
19 Åishi Kuranosuke (Matsumoto KÅshirÅ IX, later, Matsumoto HakuÅ II) permits Isogai (Nakamura ShinjirÅ, later, Nakamura Kinnosuke II) to see his betrothed, Omino (Nakamura Shibajaku VII, later, Nakamura Jakuemon V) for the last time. Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in December, 2006 530
20 Åishi Kuranosuke (Matsumoto KÅshirÅ IX, later, Matsumoto HakuÅ II) is content as he goes towards his death. Performed at the National Theatre, TÅkyÅ, in December, 2006 533