Samourai

218340 — Japan. No date. Late Edo. Seven attractive colour manuscript ink and watercolour images 23.5 x 17cm 55 double-folded leaves 4-hole string binding paper title label upper cover. A little occasional worming contents paper on card covers insect damaged particularly on lower cover. This manuscript likely made in the late Edo period is a collection of samurai tales of revenge loyalty and self-sacrifice. The first story features Watanabe Kazuma 渡邊数馬 who avenged his brother Gentaro's death by pursuing and killing Kawai Matagorō. The book includes manuscript colour illustrations of the seven main figures involved in this vendetta—a story widely revered as a testament to loyalty and tenacity often portrayed in stage performances for the public. <br><br>Another account in the collection details Ikeda Tsuneoki also known as Shōnyū and his son who perished in the Battle of Nagakute near Nagoya. . unknown