Chushingura

In teaching Eastern Civ., my favorite unit is that on the Chushingura. The 18th century story samurai loyalty is easily readable (as it was originally a play), and full of excitement and intrigue. Generally it is one of the easier texts to sell to the students, but the best part is our visit to the Spencer Museum of Art Print Room, where we are able to view 18th and 19th century Japanese pints related to the kabuki version of the story. Below is Act 10, where the merchant Gihei (in the middle) proves his loyalty to the samurai (in black) who are disguised as police.