Print by Utagawa Yoshitora (-1880) from the "Sanchū Giden" ("Exemplary Stories of Loyalty and Devotion") series, prints depicting the famous 47 rōnin (wandering samurai).
This plate depicts and illustrates the story of Hama Takafusa, a faithful servant who, after receiving five ryō of gold from his dying lord, kept the sum as a sacred memento.
Refusing to sell it despite poverty, he embodies the Confucian virtue of loyalty(chūgi).
The text shown tells the story of a vassal named Hama Takafusa (濱高房), servant to a lord.
"Remembrance in five ryō. Hama Takafusa.
Born into a family of 350 koku, he served as chamberlain to his lord.
Thanks to his loyalty, he was called to the court and acted as attendant to the master.
One day, when his lord fell ill and died, he presented him with five golden ryō as a memento for posterity.
Takafusa received them with tears of gratitude, and passed them on as a family treasure.
Later, having fallen into poverty, he thought of selling them, but refrained from doing so, and died without touching them.
His exemplary loyalty was passed on to the world.
The Sanchū Giden series was published at the transition between the Edo and Meiji eras, continuing the tradition of moral tales of the 47 rōnin and other exemplary heroes.
Original oban tate-e print from 1870.
Signed 芳虎 画 (Yoshitora ga).
Very good condition. (stain and yellowing).
Size: 36.7 x 24.9 cm
