My next encounter was during my first stay in Japan in 1989. I first learned of this affair back when I was 15 or 16, after reading about it in a martial arts book. Isaac Titsingh’s account of the affair translated into English in “Illustrations of Japan consisting of Private Memoirs and Anecdotes of the reigning dynasty of The Djogouns, or Sovereigns of Japan a description of the Feasts and Ceremonies observed throughout the year at their Court and of the Ceremonies customary at Marriages and Funerals: to which are subjoined, observations on the legal suicide of the Japanese, remarks on their poetry, an explanation of their mode of reckoning time, particulars respecting the Dosia powder, the preface of a work by Confoutzee on filial piety” The ronin were buried at the Sengakuji Temple alongside their lord, and the graves are still in place to this day. The eventual decision was seppuku and the sentence was carried on March 20th. It is said that they were treated more like guests than criminals. The ronin of Ako were entrusted to four daimyo until a decision could be made regarding what should be done with them. They then peacefully surrendered to the authorities. Nearly two years after Asano’s death, Oishi and 46 other former samurai of Ako made an assault on Kira’s mansion in Edo, killed him, took his head to the Sengakuji Temple to place at the grave of their lord. The chief retainer, one Oishi Kuranosuke Yoshio, gathered a group together and plotted revenge. On the 14th day of the 3rd month of the 14th year of Genroku (April 21st, 1701), Asano Takumi no Kami, the Daimyo of Ako domain was insulted by Kira Yoshinaka (Yoshihisa), master of protocol, during preparations for the emperor’s visit to Edo Castle and attacked him with his wakizashi.ĭrawing a weapon within the castle grounds was itself an offence and Asano was sentenced to seppuku that very day.Īsano’s retainers now found themselves masterless and therefore unemployed. The incident in question is the act of vengeance by forty-seven ronin (masterless samurai) against Lord Kira. I am timing this post to match the historical date for the incident.

I shall take a break from wildlife for this post and talk about something that has been of interest to me for decades. Do you know the Klingon proverb that tells us revenge is a dish that is best served cold? Khan, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

The forty seven ronin story john allyn