47 Ronin - Discover the Tale of Chushingura

8/10/2019 47 Ronin - Discover the Tale of Chushingura

1/12

nin - Discover the tale of Chushingura, the 47 Ronin.

www.47ronins.com/[30/12/14 11:09:36]

Discover the Tale of the 47 Ronin.Home 47 Ronin Story

T he s t or y o f t h e 4 7 R on i n , k n ow n a s Chu s h i n g u r a ( ' t a l e o f t h e l oy a l

r e t a i n e r s ') i n J a p a n e se, i s o n e o f t h e m o st p o p u l a r Sam u r a i t a l es i n

J a p a n . T h e f a c t t h a t i t i s a t r u e st o r y , p l a y s a m a j o r r o l e i n i t s l o n g

l a st i n g a p p e a l .

The story of the 47 Ronin, also known as'Chushingura', comes from the name of a kabukiplay created 50 years after the actual 'Ako incident'.

Described by Japanese historians as a 'NationalLegend', the revenge of the 47 Ronin took place inJapan and is the ultimate expression of the samuraicode of honor, Bushido.

The story began on april 21st 1701, when lordAsano Naganori, the Daimyoof theAkoDomainwas forced to commit ritual suicide for attackingKira Yoshinaka in EdoCastle, a rude and arrogant

Master of Ceremony under the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The loyal 47 Ronintook over a year to planned their raid on Kira'smansion. On a snowy December night, they strike on Kiras home, takingeveryone by surprise.

After killing Kira, they went to their Master's Grave, and turned themselvesin to the authorities. For committing such a vendetta, the 47 Ronin wererequested by the Shogunto commit seppuku, ritual self-disembowelment.

During the Meiji era, the rapid modernization of Japan forces people toreturn to their cultural roots and values, giving tremendous popularity ofthe 47 Ronin's tale.

Today in Japan, the 47 Ronin and samurai like

Musashi Miyamoto are regarded by the Japanesepeople as 'Cultural Heroes' and they are honored intraditional holidays and a in countless kabukiplays, movies, novels and manga.

Every year, the Gishisai Festival takes place onDecember 14th inAkocity in Hyogoprefecture, inmemory of the 47 Ronin. On that day, schools andbusiness are close and the streets are decorated withbanners and colored lanterns.

Additionally, each year, at Sengakuji Temple inTokyo, thousands of tourists visits the resting place of the 47 Ronin andpay homage to their dedication to Bushido.
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2/12

nin - Understanding Bushido

www.47ronins.com/understanding-bushido.html[30/12/14 11:10:52]

Understanding BushidoHome Understanding Bushido

One o f t h e m o st i m p o r t a n t t h i n g f o r w est e r n e r s t o f u l l y a p p r e ci a t e t h e

s t or y o f t h e 4 7 R on i n , i s t o u n d e r s t a n d t h e p sy c h o l o g i ca l , p h i l o so p h i c a l

a n d s p i r i t u a l f o u n d a t i o n s o f t h e w a r r i o r c l a ss i n a n c i en t J a p a n : B u s h i d o .

In Feudal Japan, Samurai devoted their lives toBushido, a strict, unwritten code of living, teachingmoral principles and values like loyalty, courage,honor and self-discipline.

Bushido found its origins into Zen Buddhism andShinto, and became the heart and soul of theSamuraiin old Japan.

Bushidoasked the Samurai to be honest, reliableand to live a frugal life with no interest in materialpossessions and money, but rather in valor such asduty, pride, honor and compassion, putting theneeds of others in front of their own.

Samurai had a very intimate relation with death and were taught toconstantly think about it. This stoic, yet fully realistic mental attitude addeda new dimension to the Samurai'slife, by allowing them to fully appreciatelife and the things they enjoy and love the most.

According to the Bushido Shoshinshu written in the 17th century byTaira Shigesuke, a Samurai and military strategist of Edo period: "Aslong as you keep death in mind at all times, you will fulfill the ways ofloyalty and familial duty. You will also avoid myriad evils and calamities,you will be physically sound and healthy, and you will live a long life.What is more, your character will improve and your virtue will grow.

If people comfort their minds with the assumption that they will live a longtime, something might happen, because they think they will have forever

to do their work and look after their parents-they may fail to perform fortheir employers and also treat their parents thoughtlessly.

But if you realize that the life that is here today is not certain on themorrow, then when you take your orders from your employer, and whenyou look in on your parents, you will have the sense that this may be thelast time-so you cannot fail to become truly attentive to your employer andyour parents. This is why I say you also fulfill the paths of loyalty andfamilial duty when you keep death in mind."

According to Bushido, if a Samurailose his honoror was about to lose it, he could regain it byperforming seppuku (often called 'hara-kiri' in theWestern world) a form of ritual suicide. Whether
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3/12

nin - Understanding Bushido

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chosen by the Samurai itself or ordered as anhonorable form of capital punishment, seppukuwas preferred to a dishonorable death at the handsof an enemy. It was also a demonstration of theSamurai loyalty, courage and honor. After thedeath of a Lord, loyal Samurai might show theiraffection and grief for their master by performing

seppuku.

Throughout history, Samurai committed seppuku as a radical act ofprotestation against injustice or to get their lord to reconsider an unwise orunworthy action.

Today in Japan, the most technologically advanced society in the world,Bushidono longer represents a military power, but a state of mind, and itsfoundations still play a major part of Japanese culture and society. It caneasily be observe when you see the strong sense of loyalty workers have totheir employers, students to their teachers, apprentices to their masters andto their country.

Hundreds of years after its appearance, Bushido is still the core of

Japanese social, political and corporate structure.


4/12

nin - Tragedy in Edo Castle

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Tragedy in Edo Castle.Home Tragedy in Edo Castle.

The t a l e o f t he 47 Ron i n i s a t r u e s t o r y t ha t began on Ap r i l 21s t , 1701,

w h e n l o r d A sa n o N ag a n o r i a t t a c k ed K i r a Y o sh i n a k a , t h e s en i o r b a k u f u

p r o t o co l o f f i c i a l , i n Edo Cas t l e.

In 1701, Tokugawa Tsunayososhi, the rulingShogun of Japan, ordered two Daimyo (lords),Asano Naganori, Lord ofAkoand Kamei Sama,to organised a reception for the envoys of theEmperor in Edo, the ancient name of Tokyo.

Asano and Kamei were to be given instruction inthe necessary court etiquette by Kira Yoshinaka, arude, arrogant and powerful master of ceremony inthe hierarchy of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi'sshogunate.

Lord Kira was accustomed to receive gifts of amonetary nature for his teaching, but Lord Asano's gift to him was thesimple token gift of dried bonito fish. Kirawas a man greedy of money,he was insulted and upset at the two Lords, and treated them poorly duringhis teaching. The two man did not offer bribes to Kira, like many officialsdo.

During their instruction, Asano and Kamei were constantly insulted byKira. At one point, Kamei Samabecame so enraged, that he came close tokill Kirato avenge the insults. However, the Lord's counselors suggested, inorder to avoid disaster, to give Kira a large bribe. Soon after, Lord Kirastarted to treat Kamei Samavery nicely.

Kira continued to treat Lord Asano harshly, andhumiliated him in public calling him a "country boywith no manners".

Asanolost his temper and could restrain himself nomore. He drew his wakizashi (forbidden insideEdo Castle) and attacked Kira but only woundedhim slightly in the face before being stopped byguards.

Kira's wound was superficial, but attacking ashogun official into government building, wasconsidered to be a grave offense. Any form ofviolence was expressly forbidden inside Edocastle.

As a punishment for his severe offense, the Shogun Tsunayoshi orderedLord Asano to commit seppuku (ritual suicide).Asano forfeited his lifethe very same day. As for Kira, he received sympathy as he continued his


5/12

nin - Tragedy in Edo Castle

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official duties.

At the time, law stated that when a Daimyo committed seppuku, theShogun family is dishonored, his castle confiscated and his Samurairetainers disband, thus becoming Roninor masterless Samurai.

As he heard the terrible news, Oishi Kuranosuke, Asano's principalcounselor, moved his Lord's family away, before surrenderingAkocastle tothe Officials of the Tokugawagovernment.

Oishi secretly formed a group to avenge their master's death. Out of 371samurais, only loyal 47 men(you can find herethe names of all the 47 roninand a description of their weapons) refused to allow lord Asano'sdeath togo unavenged, even though vendetta is strictly forbidden by law.

They decided to go on with their plan, even though they knew they would beseverely punished for doing so, swearing a secret blood oath to avenge theirmaster by killing Kira.
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/ronin.htmhttp://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/ronin.htm


6/12

nin - Preparing the revenge

www.47ronins.com/preparing-the-revenge.html[30/12/14 11:12:18]

Preparing the Revenge.Home Preparing the Revenge.

I t w a s c lea r i n K i r a ' s m i n d t h a t A sa n o 's Sam u r a i w o u l d t r y t o g et

r e v en g e a g a i n s t h i m . I n o r d e r t o p r ev e n t s u c h a n ev en t , h i s h o u s e h a d

b een f o r t i f i ed , a n d h i s p er s o n a l s ec u r i t y w a s g r e a t l y a u gmen t e d .

The 47 Ronin knew that before they could launchthe attack, they would have to put Kira guarddown. They decided to split up to avoid suspicionand to start to plan their move on the well protectedKira. They gathered in and around Edo, disguised

as monks, merchants and even drunkards to getinformation on Kira in order to help thempenetrate into his mansion.

Only their mission matters; one of the Ronin evenmarried the house builder's daughter to get a handon the plans of Kira's mansion.

Others Roninwere secretly transporting to Edoweapons as well as armorsand equipment by boat during the night.

Oishi knew that by raiding on Kira's mansion, the 47 Roninwere going totheir death, not only they could die during the attack, but if they succeed,the Shogun will probably want them dead. He went to his wife and

divorced her without telling her anything about his plan. He sent her awayto live with her parents, along with their two younger children. Oishi'soldest boy, Chikara decided to stay an fight alongside his father. He justsixteen years old.

Fearing a plot growing against him, Lord Kira sent spies to watch theRonin, particularly their leader, Oishi. It was essential that their plans wasnot discovered.

Knowing that Kira sent spies after him, Oishi went to Kyoto and began

frequenting brothels and taverns earning reputation as a drunken gambler.This way, Oishi Kuranosuke was trying to deceive Kira's spies, but onthe inside, he was consumed by the idea of revenge.

Agents of Kira reported that the Asano's retainers, now away from thewarriors life, became merchants and drunkards. With time, Kira started tobelieve that Asano's Ronin did not have the courage to avenge theirmaster and that he was safe from them. The masquerade worked just asplanned, Kiralet down his guard.

At a secret meeting, Oishiand the other Ronindecided that the time hadcome to raid against Kira mansion and avenge their Master's death. Themoment to strike is perfect.


7/12

nin - The Ronin's Attack

www.47ronins.com/the-ronins-attack.html[30/12/14 11:12:56]

The Ronin's Attack.Home The Ronin's Attack.

A y e a r a n d a h a l f a f t e r t h e d e a t h o f A s a n o , t h e 4 7 R on i n m eet i n Ed o a t

o n e o f t h e i r sec r e t l o c a t i o n , r e n ew ed t h e i r o a t h s a n d g o t r e a d y t o a t t a c k

o n K i r a ' s m a n s i on .

On the night of December 14th 1702, snow wasfalling in Edo. Oishi inspected each man andquestioned them all about their orders. They all puton their weapons and armors. Over it, they wore theuniforms of the fire brigade so that they could

freely move through the streets of Edo.

On their way to Kira's mansion, Oishi sentmessages to the neighbourhood, explaining that theywere not thiefs, but the 47 Ronin, came to avengethe death of their Lord. The neighbors all hatedKira and did nothing to stop the Ronins fromattacking.

Armed with swords, lances and bows, they split up into two groups to attackthe house at the same time. Oishi Kuranokuse led one group by the frontgate while Oishi Chikara, his son, led the second group to the back gate.As planned, a drum would sound the beginning of the attack, and a whistlewould signal that Kirawas found.

A few archers quietly positioned themselves on the roof to prevent those inthe house from sending for help. When everybody was in place, Oishisounded the war drum, marking the begining of the attack. The Ronintears down the front and read gates with war hammers and penetrated themansion while Kirawas having a tea party.

The 47 Ronin spread throughout Kira's mansion,fighting against more than 120 of Kira's men, who,even taken completely by surprise, put up a fierce

resistance. Most of them were killed during the raid,many were wounded, and some ran away from thefight, including Kira's son.

For some time they hunted for Kira, searching thehouse, finding nothing but women and children.Oishi checked Kira's bed, and notice that it wasstill warm: Kira must not be far. They discoveredunder the bed a secret passageway leading to thegarden. Some men took the passageway and finallyfound a man hiding in a storage hut. The sound of the whistle echoed in thenight: Kirahas been found.


8/12

nin - The death of Kira

www.47ronins.com/the-death-of-kira.html[30/12/14 11:13:38]

The Death of Kira.Home The Death of Kira

I n t h e g a r d en w a s h el d a sm a l l b u i l d i n g f or st o r i n g f i r ew o o d a n d

c h a r c o a l . Wh i l e s ea r c h i n g t h e b u i l d i n g , t h e R on i n w er e a t t a c k e d b y a

m a n h i d i n g i n a co r n e r .

After being easily disarmed and questioned, the aggressor refused to statehis name and rank. The searchers knew it was Kira so they blew thewhistle. The Ronin gathered around the man and Oishi Kuranosukecertified that it was indeed Kira, seeing the scar fromAsano's attack.

In consideration of Kira's high rank, Oishikneeleddown before him and respectfully addressed him,telling him they were retainers ofAsano, come toavenge him as true Samuraishould.

He also told Kira that he will allow him die withhonor as a true Samurai, by committingSeppuku, as Lord Asano had done almost two

years ago. Oishi offered Kira the same daggerAsanoused to kill himself. Kira fell on his knees,crying, trembling, begging for his life, offeringmoney to Oishiand the Roninso that they let himlive.

After realizing that Kirado not have the courage nor the honor to commitSeppuku, Oishikilled him by cutting off his head withAsano'sdagger.

Kira's head was wrapped in a white cloth and places in a bucket. Despitethe fact that a few Ronin were wounded, they marched to Sengaku-jiTemple in Edowhere LordAsanowas buried.

On arriving at the temple, the Ronin washed andcleaned Kira's decapitated head in a well and put itbefore Asano's tomb. They offered prayers at the

temple in hommage to their Lord and, knowingwhat was comming for them, gave all the remaningmoney of the Asano Clan to the head monk of thetemple, asking him to bury them decently and offerprayers for them after their death.

Fully prepared to die for their action, Oishi sent amessenge to the Tokugawa Government Buildingin Edo, informing the officials of what had beendone and telling them that they would be waiting at

Sengaku-jiTemple, for the Shogunorders.

12 orang menyukai ini. Daftaruntuk mengetahui apa yang disukai teman Anda.Suka
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9/12

nin - The Sentence

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The Sentence.Home The Sentence.

T he v er y sam e n i g h t o f t h e a t t a c k , b y t u r n i n g t h ems el v es i n t h e t em p l e,

t h e R o n i n k n ew t h a t t h ey w er e a t t h e m er c y o f t h e sh o g u n , T su n a y o s h i

T o k u g aw a a n d t h a t t h e i r f a i t h w i l l r esu l t i n cer t a i n d ea t h .

The Roninwere detained, and treated with courtesyand respect, due to their Samurai status. TheTokugawa Shogun and his entourage wereprofoundly impressed by the Samurai Spiritdemonstrated by the 47 Ronin.

The shogunate was troubled, deliberating foralmost 2 months. By killing Kira and avenging thedeath of Asano, the Ronin followed the Way ofBushido, but they also acted against the authorityand laws of the Shogun himself, who prohibitedpersonal vendetta.

On February 4, 1703, the 47 Ronin were divided into four groups andhanded over to four different daimyo, who were ordered to supervise andwitness their deaths.

As they were expecting it, the 47 Roninwere sentenced to die honorably bycommitting seppuku, and not as vulgar criminals.

Oishi Kuranosuke and the valiant 47 Ronin bravely committedseppukuas they were commanded by the Shogun. They were buried sideby side next to their master, LordAsano Naganoriat Sengaku-jiTemplein Edo.

Today in Sengaku-ji Temple, you can still see well preserved kimonos,arms, armors and drums that were used by the 47 Roninduring the attackagainst Kira's mansion. You can also see their gravestones and the famousKubi-Araiwell (head washing well) they used to clean up Kira's head on

the night of the attack.

For the Japanese people, the tombs of the 47 Ronin became a place ofgreat veneration and prayer, and have been visited by hundreds ofthousands of admirers that come to burn incense at their tomb, veneratingthem as symbols of loyalty and true Samurai Spirit.

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10/12

nin - The Legends Lives on

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The Legend Lives On.Home The Legend Lives On.

E v en t o d a y , m o r e t h a t 3 0 0 y e a r s a f t e r t h e a c t u a l ev en t s , Ch u s h i n g u r a -

t h e s t o r y o f t h e 4 7 R on i n i s o n e o f t h e m o st p o p u l a r J a p a n e se st o r y . I t ' s a

s t or y t h a t ev e r y J a p a n e se p e o p l e k n ow s a b o u t , r e g a r d l ess o f t h ei r a g e o r

educa t i o n l e v el .

Told over and over again, and passing fromgenerations to generations for centuries, the story ofthe 47 Roninillustrates the heart and soulof theJapanese society.

In its long and tumultuous history, Japan had manyepic stories of love, tragedy and vengeance, but thestory of the 47 Ronin stands out as the favoriteone.

Their story is the purest expression of Bushidoandrepresents the essence of the Samurai Spirit,demonstrating duty, loyalty, and the powerful bond

that existed between a retainer and his master. These values that embodiesthe Samurai ideals or Samurai Spirit, strikes close to the heart of theJapanese people.

The Tale of the 47 Ronin of Ako will never be forgotten, and like some

Japanese people say: ...to know the story of the 4 7 Ron i n is to knowJapan."


11/12

nin - Image Gallery

www.47ronins.com/image-gallery.html[30/12/14 11:16:14]

47 RONIN - CHUSHINGURA

Spirit of the Samurai

troduction

nderstanding Bushi do

ragedy i n Edo Castle

reparing the Revenge

he Ronin's Attack

he Death of Kira

he Sentence

he Legend Lives On

mage Gallery

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ersion Franaise

47 Ronin's Image Gallery.Home 47 Ronin's Image Gallery

H er e a r e some o f t h e b e st C h u s h i n g u r a i l l u s t r a t i o n m ade b y K u n i y o sh i

U t a g aw a w a s o n e o f t h e l a st G r a n d M a s t er s o f U k i y o - e. Y o u w i l l a l so

f o u n d p i c t u r e s of t h e 4 7 R on i n ' s Gr a v e i s S en g a k u j i , T o k y o .

Kuniyoshi Utagawa Woodblock Print Collection(1797 - 1861).

Ronin's Grave - Sengakuji Temple, Tokyo.

A very special thanks to Joe Adkins fromjadkins.comfor allowing me to use his Chushingura

pictures.
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12/12

nin - Image Gallery


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47 Ronin - Discover the Tale of Chushingura