9. 47 Ronins (1703)
Following the unfair execution of their master Asano Naganori in a ceremonial affair to the shogun, 47 ronins vow for a vendetta against Kira Yoshinaka, the person whose accusation was the main reason for their master's death. Ronin is the term for a samurai, if he had no master (if you are serving a master, you'd be known as a samurai, of you do not or your master had just died, your are called a ronin).
For the ronins especially their leader Oishi, their master's execution was unfair and was a great insult to them. If you had lived in 16th century Japan, then you'd know better then to insult a samurai, even a ronin. The vow to Kill the heavily guarded Kira (who was a high ranking official), and place his head in their master's tomb.
There is just one problem, to kill Kira, was a great offense to the shogunate, and the penalty is death by 'seppuku' (cutting of the belly and commit suicide), but being a samurai, the 'bushido' code was to be followed, if not they will die in shame (for that is something worst then death). Besides they are acting on the loyalty for their master.
So on the 13th of January 1703, the 47 ronins broke into Kira's castle in Edo (now Tokyo), and since they were one of the best of samurai, they were successful against Kira's large number of guards. Oishi killed Kira, and cut off his head, and the 47 of placed Kira's head in the tomb of their master Asano Naganori. Then they turned themselves in to the authorities. Who told all 47 to commit the 'seppuku'
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This moment in history (13th January 1703), had no effect on human history what so ever, but the bravery and loyalty of the 47 ronins could not be overlooked as they killed for honor of their master, rather then wait around for a new one, and choose to die by the law, then outlawed by it. Since I am a Muslim, I hate the fact of committing suicide, but in Japan (at the time), nothing is more heroic. These ronins were heroes and a shrine was dedicated to them for their loyalty.
For the ronins especially their leader Oishi, their master's execution was unfair and was a great insult to them. If you had lived in 16th century Japan, then you'd know better then to insult a samurai, even a ronin. The vow to Kill the heavily guarded Kira (who was a high ranking official), and place his head in their master's tomb.
There is just one problem, to kill Kira, was a great offense to the shogunate, and the penalty is death by 'seppuku' (cutting of the belly and commit suicide), but being a samurai, the 'bushido' code was to be followed, if not they will die in shame (for that is something worst then death). Besides they are acting on the loyalty for their master.
So on the 13th of January 1703, the 47 ronins broke into Kira's castle in Edo (now Tokyo), and since they were one of the best of samurai, they were successful against Kira's large number of guards. Oishi killed Kira, and cut off his head, and the 47 of placed Kira's head in the tomb of their master Asano Naganori. Then they turned themselves in to the authorities. Who told all 47 to commit the 'seppuku'
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| the grave of the 47 ronin |
This moment in history (13th January 1703), had no effect on human history what so ever, but the bravery and loyalty of the 47 ronins could not be overlooked as they killed for honor of their master, rather then wait around for a new one, and choose to die by the law, then outlawed by it. Since I am a Muslim, I hate the fact of committing suicide, but in Japan (at the time), nothing is more heroic. These ronins were heroes and a shrine was dedicated to them for their loyalty.
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