Forty-seven Ronin facts for kids
The revenge of the Forty-seven Ronin took place in Japan at the start of the 18th century. It describes a historical event, but there is a lot of fiction added to the story too.
The story tells of a group of samurai who were left leaderless (becoming ronin) after their daimyo (lord) Asano Naganori committed seppuku (ritual suicide). He had to do this because he assaulted a court official named Kira Yoshinaka. The ronin waited and planned almost two years, and then killed Kira to avenge their master's honour. After that, the ronin had to kill themselves by committing seppuku as they had committed the crime of murder.
One noted Japanese scholar described the tale, the most famous example of the samurai code of honor, bushidō, as the country's "national legend."
Gallery
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Incense burns at the graves of the Forty-seven Ronin at Sengaku-ji.
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Woodcut by Kunisada depicting the attack (early 1800s).
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Postcard depicting the attack, early 1920s.
Images for kids
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Ukiyo-e print depicting Asano Naganori's assault on Kira Yoshinaka in the Matsu no Ōrōka of Edo Castle
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Memorial stone marking the site of the Matsu no Ōrōka (Great Corridor of Pines) in Edo Castle, where Asano attacked Kira
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Two of the rōnin: Horibe Yahei and his adopted son, Horibe Yasubei. Yasubei is holding an ōtsuchi.
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Modern day reenactment of a samurai armed for the attack
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The rōnin attack the principal gate of Kira's mansion
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The rōnin, on their way back to Sengaku-ji, are halted in the street, and invited in for rest and refreshment.
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Part of the Remains of Former Kira Residence, currently Honjo Matsuzaka-cho Park
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Painting of Ōishi Yoshio committing seppuku
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Memorial to the unswerving loyalty of Ōishi Yoshio and the others, at the site where they died
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Entrance to Sengaku Temple
See also
In Spanish: 47 rōnin para niños
