The 47 Ronin
Japan
Every country has at least one story that strikes a deep chord within the heart and soul of a culture resonating through out the entire being of its society. It’s the kind of story every person knows about regardless of their educational background though they aren’t always sure of the exact details. It’s a story that so well illustrates the basic elements of a society’s ideology and fundamental characteristics that it’s told over and over again, passing from generation to generation.
In America, every school child knows about the heroic and tragic battle at the Alamo in Texas. It’s an event that has been permanently etched in America’s cultural psyche – with fact and fiction having been long since blurred – that it’s difficult to discern the actual truth.
MemorialThe spies believed Oishi had truly become a harmless destitute creature and so Kira relaxed his guard. Oishi, however, secretly stole away to Edo and met with 46 other loyal companions to plot their assault on Kira’s mansion.
On a snowy evening on December 14th, 1702, the 47 Ronin attacked Kira’s home and took it completely by surprise. They found Kira cowering in a charcoal shed. Kira was offered the choice to commit seppuku but he refused so Oishi cut off his head with the same dagger that his lord used to kill himself. The 47 Ronin then walked to Lord Asano’s grave in Sengakuji Temple and placed Kira’s head upon it. After that, they turned themselves into the Shogun except for the youngest ronin, whom Oishi sent back to Ako to tell of Kira’s death.
The Shogun was beside himself on what to do with the 46 Ronin in his custody. To some degree he much admired them for being true to the way of the Samurai. Their actions set off a controversy of debate. Much of the general public wanted their release. Several lords pleaded for the men to be granted life and be allowed to serve them. On the other side, critics argued that the ronin had willfully disobeyed the Shogun’s law and to pardon them would be to invite lawlessness and anarchy.
In the end they were allowed to commit honorable seppuku rather than be executed like common criminals. They were interned with their lord at Sengakuji Temple. The surviving ronin was pardoned by the Shogun and lived until he was 75 before being buried along side his comrades.
Countless plays, novels, and later movies and documentaries have been done on this story that so caught the people’s attention. Even today, they are not forgotten and the 47 Ronin are still held in high esteem.
Their story strikes so close to the heart of Japanese thought and belief that some Japanese scholars have said: “…to know the story of the 47 Ronin is to know Japan.”
