47 Ronin but Fiction ??
There lay a samurai-clad society in the early 18th century. Our tale starts in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) at the Shogun's palace.
In this world lived Asano Naganori, the Daimyo of Ako. His chief counselor, Oishi Kuranosuke Yoshio, was beside him. He was a wise, experienced samurai devoted to Asano.
One day, the Shogun assigned Asano and Kira Yoshinaka, a court official, to receive envoys from the Emperor. Kira, a proud and ambitious man, expected bribes for his lessons in etiquette.
When Asano refused to bribe him, he was insulted and belittled. Tensions between the two grew. Asano then drew his sword against Kira in the Shogun's palace, a grave offense. Kira was wounded but survived.
The Shogun was furious at this breach of peace.
As punishment, Asano was ordered to commit seppuku - ritual Harakiri.
His lands were confiscated. His family was disgraced. His samurai became ronin, masterless warriors. Kira was not punished. This sowed resentment among the ronin.
The samurai lost their status when their master died. This was due to the seizure of Asano's lands. They became ronin, masterless warriors.
This was a major disgrace, a dreadful fate for a samurai. Their lives were upended. They lost their sense of purpose. But they were undeterred. They vowed to honor their master and clan, even at the cost of their lives.
Oishi, their leader, took up a house in Kyoto. He began frequenting taverns and brothels.
This was a shocking change for a samurai, especially in his standing.
Many believed he had given up on vengeance. Oishi even divorced his wife and sent his kids away to further the illusion. Then, he courted a geisha.
Other ronin took work as merchants and tradesmen. Those jobs were beneath their station.
They faced mockery and scorn from their community. They secretly gathered weapons and armor. They trained, awaiting their chance to strike.
Oishi and 46 other Ronin would avenge their master. They knew Kira would expect an immediate attack. So, they decided to lay low and wait. They would create an illusion of apathy.
Some Ronin took odd jobs. Some pretended to be drunkards. Oishi himself was seen in brothels. All this was to throw off Kira's spies.
Two years passed, and Kira's vigilance began to wane. Believing the ronin posed no threat, he let down his guard. This was the moment the ronin had been waiting for. On a snowy December night, they assembled to launch their attack.
On a quiet winter night, Oishi and a group of ronin came to the Kira house. They split into two groups. One attacks the front gate, and the other attacks the back. Oishi would lead.
They found Kira hiding in a secret courtyard, trembling with fear. With a solemn sense of duty, Oishi offered him the same dagger that Asano had used for seppuku. But Kira, paralyzed by fear, did not move. Left with no other choice,
Oishi beheaded Kira.
After their mission, the ronin went to their master's grave at Sengakuji. They washed Kira's head in a well. Then, they presented it at Asano's grave as a final act of loyalty to their master.
With their mission done, the ronin gave up to the authorities. They knew the consequences. They were sentenced to commit seppuku, an honorable end for a samurai.
It would restore their status and their master's honor. The story became a legend of loyalty, honor, and bushido. The 47 Ronin were buried beside their master at Sengakuji Temple in Tokyo. They are still revered there.
This story is called Chushingura, or "The Treasury of Loyal Retainers." It is true. It is famous in Japanese literature, Kabuki, and Bunraku. It embodies loyalty, a guiding principle for all samurai. It is one of Japan's most popular and enduring legends.
This story moved many Japanese. So, the Ako Ronin story was broadcast on TV for a long time every December. Though young people these days may not be interested in this story.
Historians widely believe the story is fiction based on actual events. They say Kira Kouzukenosuke was a wonderful man.
Kira was a very honorable man and a great ruler. Asano was angry, womanizing, and often got into trouble.
The bribe in Chushingura? It was not a bribe. It was an instruction fee, which was polite to pay then.
Asano became angry that Kira demanded a fee. It was forbidden to draw a sword in Edo Castle.
Asano was ordered to commit seppuku. The commotion grew so loud that Kira had to move from a good place to a slightly worse one.
Then, he had to quit his job and retire. At that time, revenge was a natural right and a great honor.
I feel sorry for Kira because he was made to look bad.