The 47 Ronin: Japan’s Greatest Tale of Vengeance

**The 47 Ronin – Japan’s Greatest Tale of Vengeance**

This remarkable story of samurai loyalty and honor is known by several names. In Japan, it is typically referred to as the Akō jiken, translated as the Akō incident, or sometimes the Akō vendetta. It has been so prominently featured in Japanese literature and kabuki theater that it has spawned its own genre—Chūshingura, or The Treasure of Loyal Retainers—comprising fictional stories based on this historical event. In the West, we know it as The 47 Ronin, the tale of 47 early 18th-century samurai who lose their master and embark on a journey to avenge the unjust death of their lord.

The story first reached the West over a hundred years after the events took place, thanks to Isaac Titsingh, a Dutch merchant and scholar who did business with the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan on behalf of the Dutch East India Company. It was later popularized by British writer and former diplomat A.B. Mitford, who featured it prominently in his anthology, *Tales of Old Japan*. This version has become the definitive account in the West, and it is the one we will primarily rely on today. Modern scholars suggest that while Mitford conducted extensive research for his book and provided many details, he also had a tendency to dramatize certain climactic parts to enhance the story’s excitement. Nevertheless, we present to you, as best as we know it, the tale of the 47 ronin.

**The Death of Asano Naganori**

Our story begins at the start of the 18th century. To better understand it, we should quickly outline a few concepts about feudal Japan. At that time, the country had an emperor, but his role was mostly symbolic. The true power was held by the shogun, who commanded the military. In 1701, during the events in question, Japan was in the midst of the Tokugawa period, also known as the Edo Period, named after the shogunate’s seat of power, while the emperor remained in Kyoto. Edo is known today as Tokyo.

Although Higashiyama was the Emperor of Japan at that time, the actual authority lay with Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the fifth shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty. The shogun exercised his power throughout the land with the assistance of 300 feudal lords known as daimyo. One of these daimyo, relevant to our story, was Asano Naganori, the third member of the Asano clan to rule over the Akō Domain.

In 1701, Asano and another noble named Kamei Korechika were tasked with organizing a reception for some of the emperor’s ambassadors visiting Edo Castle as part of their service known as sankin kōtai. This policy was developed by the Tokugawa shoguns to keep an eye on their feudal lords and minimize their resources to prevent any rebellious ideas. Essentially, it required the daimyo to split their time between their own domains and Edo Castle. For several months, each feudal lord took his family and retainers to live in Edo, where he served the shogun directly. His family, especially his heir, remained in Edo whenever the daimyo returned to manage his fiefdom, effectively becoming hostages to ensure the lord’s good behavior. Additionally, the expenses for the Edo residence and the tasks performed for the shogun came out of the lord’s pocket, reducing the funds available to raise an army against the shogun.

It was Asano Naganori’s turn to fulfill his sankin kōtai duties. To properly organize the reception for the imperial ambassadors, he and Kamei required lessons in court etiquette and protocol from Kira Yoshinaka, a high official of the shogun and a master of ceremonies. Kira expected gifts and monetary compensation for his services. However, Kira and the two daimyo did not get along. The reasons for this discord are unclear; Mitford described Kira as “greedy for money” and dissatisfied with the “gifts” he received, while other sources characterized him as arrogant and contemptuous towards the two nobles.

Ultimately, Kira’s behavior became intolerable, and it was Kamei who first expressed a desire to kill Kira. He announced his intention to his retainers, stating that he would strike Kira down after the first insult the following day and accept the consequences. While his servants had to accept their master’s decision, his councillor sought an alternative solution. Realizing that a bribe might be effective, he collected all the money he could and rode to Kira’s mansion that night. There, Kamei’s servant presented Kira with a thousand ounces of silver, plus an additional hundred for his retainers. This bribe had a remarkable effect on Kira, who the next day apologized to Kamei and treated him with respect from then on. However, his attitude towards Asano worsened, as Kira was angered that Asano did not follow Kamei’s example.

For a long time, Asano Naganori endured the insults in silence, but he eventually reached his breaking point. At one point, Kira pointed to his foot, claiming that the ribbon of his sock had come untied, and ordered Asano to bend down and tie it for him. Burning with rage, Asano complied, but Kira continued to mock him, calling him a clumsy country boor. This was the last straw. Asano drew a small sword called a wakizashi and attacked Kira, managing only to cut his face before guards intervened. Although the injuries were minor, the consequences were severe. Kira was a powerful official of the shogun, and any violence at Edo Castle was strictly forbidden. Asano Naganori was condemned to commit seppuku, a ritual suicide by disembowelment. His death also meant the end of his clan; his lands and possessions were confiscated, and his retainers became ronin, samurai without masters.

**The Revenge Plot**

Revenge for Asano’s death was expressly forbidden by the shogun, but for some, this mattered little. The Akō daimyo had hundreds of retainers, but 47 of the most loyal banded together with the intent of seeking vengeance for their former master. Led by Asano’s former principal councillor, Ōishi Kuranosuke Yoshio, they became the 47 ronin.

Kira, despite being a corrupt and arrogant man, was no fool. He understood that, even with the shogun’s decree, some of Asano’s former men might feel duty-bound to seek revenge. Therefore, he surrounded himself with guards provided by a daimyo named Uyesugi Sama, who was his father-in-law. The ronin could have attempted to confront Kira and his men in open battle. They were prepared to die for their vengeance, knowing that even if they succeeded, they would likely be executed. However, they could not risk Kira escaping during the fight, as they would probably only have one chance. Thus, they needed Kira to dismiss his bodyguards, which required convincing him that there was no threat.

To achieve their goal, the ronin pretended to resume their lives and went their separate ways. Like many other retainers of the Asano clan, they found new professions—some became merchants, others carpenters, and some even posed as monks. Among them, Ōishi went to great lengths to allay Kira’s suspicions. As Asano’s most trusted servant, he was the one Kira feared the most, as it was expected that he would seek revenge. Instead, Ōishi relocated to Kyoto with his family, adopting the persona of a drunkard and womanizer. He knew Kira’s spies were watching him, reporting back to Edo, so he dedicated himself to this new role, regardless of the shame it brought him.

Ōishi’s wife, aware of his plan, could no longer tolerate the shame and urged him to show restraint. This only motivated him further, leading him to believe that a man in his position would likely be abandoned by his family. Although his wife understood it was all an act, she did not want to leave him, so Ōishi told her to take the children and go. Only his eldest son, Ōishi Chikara, stayed by his side, as he was one of the 47 ronin. Thus, Ōishi continued his charade. His actions were reported back to Kira, and eventually, his dedication paid off. After more than a year and a half, Kira began to feel safe, believing that Asano’s former samurai had moved on from their past lives and their desire for vengeance. He sent most of his guards away, leaving himself only with a smaller retinue.

While Ōishi was performing his act, some of the other ronin found jobs in Edo in preparation for the attack. They observed the layout of Kira’s house, noted potential entry and exit points, studied his movements, and gathered information about his retainers. They also began smuggling and stockpiling weapons, which they had to do in secrecy. As mentioned earlier, not everyone could walk around Edo armed, and it would have raised eyebrows if Asano’s former retainers, now supposed to be craftsmen and merchants, began equipping themselves like samurai again. Everything was progressing smoothly, and once Kira dismissed his guards and Ōishi was no longer under surveillance, it was merely a matter of waiting for the right moment.

**The Attack on Kira’s Mansion**

Almost two years had passed since the death of Asano Naganori, but on December 14, 1702, the 47 ronin were ready to avenge their former master. It was a cold, snowy day, and the wind howled fiercely. The ronin lurked patiently in the shadows, waiting for midnight to launch their assault. The night before, they held one final feast together, planning to turn themselves in and accept the death sentence that was sure to follow after they beheaded Kira and delivered his head as an offering to their master’s tomb.

The signal for the attack was the beating of a drum. The ronin also carried whistles to blow if they found and killed their target. The samurai split into two groups: one led by Ōishi, who would charge through the front gate, while a smaller group led by his son would cover the side entrance to ensure Kira could not escape. They understood that collateral damage was inevitable, as Kira’s retainers would likely try to protect their master. However, Ōishi urged his comrades to avoid harming any women, children, elderly, or other helpless individuals they might encounter.

On the night of the attack, Ōishi even sent one of his companions to inform Kira’s neighbors of their intentions. The messenger assured the neighbors that they were neither thieves nor ruffians and that no harm would come to them as long as they did not interfere. The neighbors found these terms agreeable and refrained from aiding Kira, as they did not particularly like him. Some historians suggest that Kira may have been more popular in his hometown due to his contributions to developing farmland and building dikes.

With that matter settled, it was finally time to strike. Ōishi began beating the drum, and the ronin stormed Kira Yoshinaka’s house. Ten of the samurai climbed onto the rooftops, drawing their bows to keep watch over the courtyard and prevent anyone from escaping to call for reinforcements. Meanwhile, the frontal assault team led by Ōishi broke into the main hall, where they were met by ten of Kira’s soldiers. A fight ensued, but the ronin were better prepared and more determined than the retainers, who had just been roused from sleep. Ōishi’s group managed to defeat their opponents without losing a single man.

Meanwhile, Ōishi Chikara and the other ronin fought guards in the back of the house. Eventually, the two groups reunited and advanced toward Kira’s private chambers. As Ōishi had predicted, some of Kira’s men attempted to escape and alert their master’s father-in-law, Uyesugi Sama, who would have sent a small army to eliminate the intruders. However, they were struck down by the archers on the rooftops. There would be no help for Kira that day.

The battle continued until only three of Kira’s retainers remained: Kobayashi Hehachi, Waku Handaiyu, and Shimidzu Ikkaku. These skilled swordsmen fiercely defended their position and managed to push the ronin back. Seeing his men growing weary and losing resolve, Ōishi shouted at them in anger. They had already forfeited their lives; why were they hesitating now? They should either kill their opponents or die trying, as fulfilling their master’s cause was the “noblest ambition of a retainer.” He then commanded his son, Chikara, to engage the three samurai in combat.

Chikara obeyed, picked up a spear, and fought Waku Handaiyu. Their struggle spilled into the garden. All seemed lost for the younger Ōishi when he tripped and fell into a pond. As Waku prepared to deliver a fatal blow, Chikara drew his sword and cut Waku’s leg, causing him to fall. The ronin then managed to rise and kill Handaiyu before he could retaliate. When he returned inside, Chikara found that the other ronin had dispatched the remaining two swordsmen. There was no one left to protect Kira.

**The Search for Kira**

The ronin opened Kira’s private chambers, only to find Kira’s son, Kira Sahioye, who wielded a halberd and attempted to defend himself. However, he was too weak and inexperienced to pose a real threat. He attacked but was wounded, and the samurai allowed him to flee. Their focus remained solely on finding Kira Yoshinaka.

The ronin split into smaller groups and thoroughly searched the mansion, but Kira was nowhere to be found. They only encountered weeping women and children, whom they left unharmed in accordance with Ōishi’s instructions. The ronin felt despondent and even contemplated committing suicide, fearing they had failed their mission. However, while searching Kira’s bedroom, Ōishi noticed that his bed was still warm, indicating that Kira had been sleeping there when the attack began. Kira had to be nearby, so they resumed their search.

This time, fortune smiled upon them. One of the ronin decided to remove a large picture hanging on the wall. Behind it, they discovered a secret tunnel leading to a small courtyard with a storage room for firewood and charcoal. At the other end of the tunnel, they encountered two guards, who were quickly dispatched. Inside the outhouse, the samurai found an elderly man dressed as a noble. The man refused to reveal his identity, but the ronin were convinced they had found Kira Yoshinaka. Ōishi recognized the scar Kira bore from their earlier encounter, confirming his identity.

Despite their hatred for Kira, Ōishi’s sense of honor and respect for samurai traditions prevailed. He knelt and bowed his head in deference to Kira, informing him that they were the former retainers of Asano Naganori, there to seek justice for their master. He offered Kira the chance for a noble death through seppuku. According to some versions, Ōishi even produced the same wakizashi that his master had used, though this may be an embellishment for dramatic effect. Kira, however, was not interested in any form of death and begged for mercy. Given all they had endured, this had no effect on the ronin.

Eventually tiring of Kira’s pleas, Ōishi forced him to his knees and beheaded him. The ronin collected Kira’s head in a bucket and prepared to leave, ensuring to extinguish all the lights to prevent a fire that might damage the neighbors’ homes.

**The Final Road**

With their mission accomplished, the 47 ronin set out for Sengaku-ji in Takanawa, where their master’s grave was located, intending to present Kira’s head as an offering and fulfill their duty before turning themselves in. They had to hurry, as word of their deed spread quickly throughout the town, and Lord Uyesugi Sama would likely send his men to eliminate them. However, they soon discovered that, apart from him, everyone else was quite impressed with their actions. After all, it was what was expected of a true samurai.

Word even reached a chief daimyo named Matsudaira Aki, a former superior of the Asano clan, who was pleased with the ronin and sent his own guards to ensure their protection on the road to Takanawa. When the men reached the palace of the Prince of Sendai, he too was satisfied with their actions and invited them to eat, drink, and rest before continuing their journey.

Thus, the 47 ronin reached their destination safely, performed the offering, and prayed at their master’s tomb. However, the 47 were actually 46. One of the ronin, Terasaka Kichiemon, had been absent from the procession to the temple, and the circumstances of his absence remain somewhat mysterious. He did not die in the fight, nor did he commit seppuku alongside the others; he lived to the age of 83. Mitford makes no mention of him in his version of events, although subsequent stories suggest that Terasaka, being the lowest in rank, was sent as a messenger to inform Asano’s family of what had happened. Some historical documents indicate that the ronin may have simply fled before the attack and abandoned the raid altogether, which is why he was not sentenced to death like the others. This contradicts the heroic narrative of the 47 ronin, and due to the lack of conclusive evidence, this part of the story is often overlooked in retellings.

As for the other 46 ronin, they faced the expected outcome: they were arrested and sentenced to death. However, because many viewed their actions as righteous, they were not executed as criminals but were allowed to commit seppuku. They were buried at Sengaku-ji next to their lord, and the 47th ronin joined them upon his death. Their graves became a popular pilgrimage site, attracting many visitors, including the same Satsuma man who once insulted Ōishi in the street, believing the ronin had become unworthy of the name “samurai.” He apologized for his insult and offered atonement by taking out a dagger and stabbing himself in front of Ōishi’s grave.

This was not an isolated incident. Mitford also mentions a samurai who, nearly 170 years later, committed seppuku before the grave of Ōishi Chikara after being refused entry into a clan. In modern times, a festival is held at Sengaku Temple every December 14 to commemorate the tale of the 47 ronin. While instances of seppuku are rare today, people still gather to honor this legendary story.