The true story behind the legend of the 47 Rōnin - Adam Clulow
TED-Ed・4 minutes read
Samurai Asano Naganori attacked Kira Yoshinaka, leading to a crisis among the Akō domain samurai on whether to obey orders or seek revenge, culminating in 47 samurai plotting and executing Kira's assassination. Despite breaking peace and laws, the rōnin were praised for their loyalty and honor, resulting in their permitted seppuku and legendary status in Japanese history.
Insights
- The incident in Edo in 1701 led to the transformation of Asano's samurai into rōnin, sparking a moral dilemma among them whether to follow government orders or seek revenge for their master's honor, culminating in the covert assassination of Kira by 47 samurai.
- Despite the rōnin's actions being in violation of peace and laws, their loyalty and honor were widely praised, leading to their permitted seppuku and burial next to Asano, solidifying their story as a legendary tale in Japan depicted in various art forms and debated by scholars for centuries.
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What historical event occurred in Edo, Japan in April 1701?
Attack on Kira Yoshinaka by Asano Naganori
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Summary
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"47 Ronin: Loyalty, Honor, and Revenge"
- In April 1701 in Edo, Japan, Asano Naganori attacked Kira Yoshinaka due to a grudge, leading to Asano being ordered to commit seppuku, his castle seized, and his samurai turned into rōnin.
- The samurai of Akō domain faced a crisis post-incident, torn between complying with government orders or avenging Asano's honor by killing Kira covertly, ultimately leading to 47 samurai plotting and executing Kira's assassination.
- The rōnin's actions, while breaking peace and laws, were praised for their loyalty and honor, resulting in their permitted seppuku and burial next to Asano, with their story evolving into a legendary tale debated by scholars and portrayed in various forms over centuries in Japan.
