The true story of the 47 Ronin is perhaps the most
celebrated tale in Japan, exemplifying the samurai code of honor, loyalty,
perseverance and sacrifice. As early as 50 years after the incident, the story
became a legend and inspired playwrights, novelists, poets and numerous ukiyo-e
artists. Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) is considered the most famous for
producing eleven complete series and over twenty triptychs on the subject.
In 1701
two samurai, Asano Naganori, a young feudal lord from Ako, and Lord Kamei from
Tsuwano, were ordered to arrange a reception for the shogun, or military ruler of Tokugawa Japan. They were instructed
in court etiquette by Kira Yoshinaka, a rude and arrogant official who often
meddled in corruption. These personality flaws upset Asano, who strictly
followed the noble laws of the samurai known as bushido. Kira mocked and goaded Asano until the samurai’s patience
snapped. Asano drew his dagger and struck Kira. Though Kira’s wound was no more
than a cut, drawing a blade in the shogun’s palace was a capital offense and Asano
was ordered to commit seppuku, the
samurai’s ritual suicide. Asano’s lands were confiscated, his family ruined and
his followers made ronin, or masterless
samurai.
Upon receiving the devastating news, Oishi Kuranosuke, Asano’s
principal counselor, took command. He moved the Asano family away and
surrendered the castle to the agents of the government. Though acting compliant,
Oishi and forty-six of Asano’s most loyal warriors vowed to avenge their
master despite knowing revenge was prohibited by law and they would be severely
punished for killing Kira.
To ease Kira’s initial suspicions, Oishi commanded his men
to disperse and become laymen and monks. Oishi himself divorced his loyal wife
of twenty years so she wouldn’t face the repercussions of his actions. He then spent
two years in Kyoto, frequenting brothels, drowning in alcohol and acting
obscenely in public. Kira’s agents reported all this to Kira, who finally let
his guard down. Gradually, the faithful ronin trickled into Edo and infiltrated
Kira’s house as workmen and merchants, all according to Oishi’s plan.
Early in the morning of January 30, 1703, Oishi and the
ronin attacked Kira’s mansion. After a fierce struggle, Oishi’s men overpowered
and subdued Kira’s guards but they found no sign of Kira. As they searched
every corner of the house they finally found an entrance to a secret courtyard
hidden behind a large scroll. There, in a small shed used for storing charcoal
and firewood they found Kira, hiding in terror. Oishi explained they were there
to avenge Asano’s death as true samurai should. In consideration of Kira’s high
rank, Oishi offered him the dignity of performing ritual suicide but the
official could do nothing more than cower and tremble in speechlessness. Seeing
it was useless, Oishi killed him with the same dagger Asano had committed
seppuku with. The ronin placed Kira’s head as an offering before Asano’s tomb
and then turned themselves in.
The shogunate officials were in a quandary. The ronin had
followed the bushido code of honor by avenging the death of their lord but they
had also defied shogunate laws. The Shogun resolved the issue by allowing them
to die as warriors by committing seppuku rather than having them executed as lowly
criminals. Each of the ronin chose to end his life in a ritualistic, honorable
fashion. Through their actions, the Asano clan was restored and cleared of
their disgrace and the 47 Ronin were venerated as a legend.