The 47 Ronin

        Alright, guys. I do remember saying I would do some legends in my description of this blog. So here is the first legend that has intrigued me... which was also made into a movie. In my opinion, the legend is much more interesting than the movie, though I haven't seen it.

Here goes.

       In 1701, the current emperor of Japan sent out two shogun(highest military official) to train 320 daimyo(warriors). The one was Kira, to train the daimyo in court etiquette. Two young daimyo, one being Asano, and the other being Kamei. Asano was of Ako, and Kamei was of Tsumano, two cities in Japan. 

      Kamei and Asano offered Kira gifts, but an Kira said that they were totally inadequate, and because of that, he treated both extremely poorly. Kamei was furious for his friend and himself being tormented, and he desired to kill Kira.

      But Asano brought peace to Kamei, and then Kamei decided to pay Kira to treat Kamei better. Well, it worked; he was treated much better. But Asano was still treated extrmely poorly. When Kira one day called Asano a "country bumpkin without manners," Asano drew his sword, and attacked Kira. 

      Kira was mildly wounded, but the law forbid anyone to attack an official. 
      After attacking his higher official, Asano was sentenced to commit seppuku(suicide).
      After Asano's death, the shogunate confiscated his domain, and reduced his soldiers to the status of ronin. (Masterless warriors)
      Since in Japanese culture, it is honorable to kill oneself when titled ronin, the ronin did so. But 47 did not commit seppuku. 
      Oishi Yoshio, the leader of the 47 Ronin, led them to seek revenge. 
      Kira became fearful, and shut himself up from an attack of such great magnitude. So Oishi Yoshio told his fellow ronin that they would disperse and lead ordinary lives; until the day that Kira forgot about the 47. And on that day, they would attack Kira, and kill him.
      And so, the 47 Ronin waited, biding their time... holding on to the hope that one day, they would have revenge. 
     On December 14, 1702, the 47 Ronin met with each other, and planned their attack. One young ronin was sent to Ako to tell their tale. 
     Some of the ronin scaled the wall, taking out the alarmed watchmen. Then they all attacked from either the front or the rear of Kira's home. Kira's samauri were caught sleeping, and had to fight without shoes. 
     Kira, when alarmed, hid in a shack. The ronin killed 40 of Kira's samauri and it took an hour for the ronin to find Kira. 
     Oishi Yoshio offered Kira the same short sword that was used to attack him, but he was terrified. So instead, Oishi Yoshio killed Kira. 
     Then the 46 Ronin came out and went to go and confess their actions. 
     The Ronin were honored for honoring the Way of the Warrior. Since the shougunate could not contradict what they had done, except for saying their actions were honorable by the Warrior's Code, they sentenced the 46 to seppuku; that being the most honorable way to die, instead of execution.
     


So there you have it folks! The Legend of the 47 Ronin. Oh, and by the way, that's a true story.

For +Nate AG , +Nuked Dew , and +Patrick Ranallo 

The 47 Ronin