You’ve probably seen the Hollywood movie starring Keanu Reeves with the same title. The true story of the 47 ronin is somehow similar to the movie. Here’s how the legend actually goes:
The shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi assigned Kira Yoshinaka to instruct Asano Naganori, a daimyo of Ako, the proper etiquette in court. Kira did not like his student, nor did Asano like his teacher. The hatred between the two grew as Kira continued to embarrass Asano. Until one day, Asano could no longer hold his anger, he struck Kira using a small blade. Though Kira was not hurt, Asano bore the consequences. It was forbidden to engage any form of attack between officials inside the shogun’s residence where they were in, even drawing the katana. This led to an order that Asano kills himself by performing the seppuku. His land and goods were also confiscated and all his samurai became ronin (leaderless).
There were almost 300 samurais under Asano Naganori. Their leader, Oishi, couldn’t allow his master to be unavenged. Together with 46 other ronin, they vowed that they will seek revenge for the death of their master, no matter how long it takes. To lessen the suspicion of the shogun and Kira’s men, they went on their own ways and pretended that they were no longer samurais and that they have no will to get back to their master’s enemy. Oishi even drank night after night and even bought a geisha to make it look like he was done being a samurai. The spies of Kira reported these back to him. Kira eventually became sure that Asano’s men will no longer come after him. But the truth is, Oishi and the other ronins continue to plan their revenge and gather arms. One of the men even married the daughter of the builder of Kira’s house to know the layout. Preparations for their attack were made for two years, ensuring that everything will be flawless.
In Genroku 15 or the 14th day of the 12th month (January 30, 1703), they launched their attacks at Kira’s house in Edo. They were divided into two groups, headed by Oishi and his son, Chikara. They killed the samurai of Kira and searched the house for their target. They eventually found him and asked him to perform the seppuku himself, using the same dagger Asano used before. This left Kira speechless and trembling. When they could no longer negotiate with him, Oishi and the other ronin decided to kill him. They beheaded him as they plan to present his head to their Master Asano’s grave.
Their revenge succeeded.
The story of what happened immediately spread all throughout Japan. On their way to the Sengaku-ji temple in Edo (now Tokyo), they were praised by the locals. They surrendered to the Shogun which gave them the chance to die an honorable death instead of a criminal death by performing the seppuku, in order to honor their master.
The other ronins of Asano who did not join the attack, also honored their comrades’ death. The honor of their living comrades were regained because of the act the 47 ronin performed. They eventually regained their titles and were permitted to join Asano Nagahiro, Naganori’s younger brother, to rebuild their name and territory.
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