History of the 47 Ronin - What really happened

The story of the 47 Ronin is one of the most famous events of early Japan and has been covered in numerous manga, films and series. We tell you what really happened in 1702.

47 Ronin story: The prelude

The story of the 47 Ronin takes place at a time when the samurai were struggling to justify their existence as warriors. Although the shogunate was subject to the Japanese emperor, in practice they themselves concentrated all power in the empire and ensured that wars and battles did not even occur in favour of stability. The samurai were therefore warriors without a battlefield and were forced to carry their weapons purely for symbolic reasons and to demonstrate their status.

It was at this time that the then shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi called for a number of daimyō (princes) to gather at Edo Castle (now Tokyo) to entertain envoys from the imperial family. Asano Naganori, a young daimyō from Ako, some 600 kilometres away, also complied with this request.

To support him in this task, the highest-ranking master of ceremonies, Kira Kozukenosuke Yoshinaka, was tasked with teaching Asano Naganori the court labels. The master of ceremonies demanded monetary compensation from Asano for his efforts. However, Asano did not consider giving Kira any money, as he saw his work as an imperial duty.

The attempted murder

Over time, the disagreements between the two grew more and more intense. Kira constantly insulted the young Asano until the situation finally escalated in April 1702. Although it was forbidden, Asano drew his sword and slightly injured Kira after the latter had insulted him again. As a result, Asano was immediately arrested. Drawing his sword in anger was already against the law, but doing it in the shogun's palace was unthinkable! During his questioning about the incident, Asano made no attempt to defend himself. He merely stated that he had never meant the shogun any harm and that he regretted not having killed Kira.

Asano was then sentenced to ritual suicide. He was forced to cut open his own stomach under guard. In addition, Asano's land became the property of the shogunate and his brother was placed under house arrest.

The news of Asano's death spreads

When the news of Asano's death arrived at his castle in Ako, a heated debate began among his former followers as to what should be done now that the lord was dead. Some were in favour of giving up the castle without a fight, while others wanted to defend it at all costs. Ôishi Kuranosuke, the most important counsellor of the Asano family, finally took the lead and decided that the castle should be handed over to the government, but that they would take revenge on Kira with a cunning plan.

The revenge plan

Ôishi managed to convince a total of 47 former samurai - now masterless ronin - of his plot for revenge. He realised that Kira would expect revenge and strengthen his bodyguard. The 47 ronin therefore decided to wait for the right time to take revenge. They swore to avenge their master's life with Kira's, come what may.

Part of the plan was to lull Kira into a false sense of security. That's why each of the 47 ronin was required to give him a false sense of security. Ôishi did this by regularly frequenting the bars and brothels of Edo and drinking himself into a stupor to give the impression that he didn't care. Others took simple jobs as craftsmen and were thus able to prepare for revenge and hide the necessary weapons.

After some time, Kira finally lowered his security measures. This was the moment the 47 Ronin had been waiting for.

The revenge

On 14 December 1702, the 47 took their weapons out of hiding and gathered in front of Kira's house in Edo. They split into 2 groups. One entered Kira's house via the roof, while the other group fought their way past the guards through the front entrance. They took Kira's men completely by surprise. However, one of the 47 ronin was killed in the attack.

They found Kira in an outbuilding and gave him the opportunity to execute himself by suicide. When he did not respond, Ôishi took the same dagger that Asano had used to execute himself and cut off Kira's head. They wrapped up the head and took it as a trophy to Sengakuji Temple, where Asano was buried. They then handed themselves in.

The epilogue

Kira's murder put the government in a difficult position, as the ronin had behaved as many expected of a loyal samurai. The decision to condemn Asano to suicide and to spare Kira completely had already not been well received by the public.

Nevertheless, it was decided to sentence the 46 remaining ronin to suicide in order to maintain public order. After the ronin committed suicide, their bodies were also buried at Sengakuji Temple.

Even today, the temple is still a popular pilgrimage site for fans of the most loyal samurai of the Edo period.

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