#47Samurai Devotees - Utagawa Kuniyoshi series of engravings - 1/47

#47Samurai Devotees - Utagawa Kuniyoshi series of engravings - 1/47

Obasi Yuranosuke Yoshio

Sitting on a folding chair, holding a drum with a stick and holding a spear with his shoulder.

Yoshio inherited from his father the generic name of Yuranosuke. Mother belonged to the family of Ikeda from the Bidzen clan. Serving in the province of Harima from the feudal lord Daimyo Ako, who was his relative on the maternal line, Obasi became his chief vassal and governed the affairs of the province. Because Yoshio loved the people and was merciful to the peasants, they were obedient to him and revered as a father. Then suddenly the master's house fell, the inhabitants of the castle wandered off to wherever, and the castle was empty. However, unable to bear the fact that the enemy continued to live peacefully and safely, Obasi concluded an alliance with more than forty faithful vassals, whose determination was firm, like metal, and he himself became their leader.

Under the cover of night, they suddenly attacked the enemy's mansion, having obtained the head of the enemy Moronao, laid it on the grave of the master. So Obasi quenched his anger, long boiling in the heart, fulfilled his cherished desire. The wisdom with which he carried out his plan, designed to deceive the enemy, his devotion to the master, unheard of in ancient times, in his days, his honesty and courage, received universal recognition, became known to the whole world. Yoshio excellently mastered martial arts. In the field of tactics of warfare, he was a follower of the Kosyoru school. He was the best pupil of Yamagh Dzigoemon Motoyuki. Perfectly comprehending the secrets of mastery, he became an unrivaled military leader. His sixteen-year-old son Yoshikane followed his father did not retreat. The wife, having remained faithful to her husband, accepted death, following her duty. Truly it can be called a model of devotion to the principle of filial duty and purity of thoughts for all soldiers.

The life of a master weight more than a thousand mountains.
Mine is insignificant
Even in comparison with the hair.

Translation from Japanese: М.V. Uspenki