“We’re here for the head of our sworn enemy, Kira Kozukenosuke!” Coincidentally, that day was also the anniversary of Asano Takumi no Kami's death. The 47 Akō Rōshi gathered at Kira Kozukenosuke’s mansion in Edo and launched their attack at the sound of the drums.

Kira was on high alert with nearly 100 samurai stationed in defense. However, they were no match for the Akō Rōshi, who managed to defeat the enemy one after another. They made their way to the sleeping quarters, but Kira was nowhere to be found.

“I can't find him anywhere!” one of the samurai exclaimed.
“He must have escaped!” another suggested.
“Calm down and search carefully!” someone else urged.

Finding Kira in the darkness, illuminated only by candlelight, proved to be quite a challenge.

Just before dawn, a ray of light shines through. The group notices a room in the kitchen that they haven’t explored yet. They kick open the door and three men jump out, prompting a sword fight. After defeating them, they look deeper into the room and discover that someone else is still inside. One of the Akō Rōshi strikes him with a spear and drags him outside, revealing an old man with a scar on his forehead. “This is the scar from my master's sword!” Certain that it’s Kira Kozukenosuke he cuts off the head.

Having succeeded in clearing their master’s name, the Akō Rōshi immediately head to Asano Naganori’s grave at Sengaku-ji Temple, where they present Kira’s head and report the whole story. They then declare that their actions were guided by their convictions, and rather than seeking refuge, they choose to await the shogunate’s decision.

It’s said that while the shogun praised their loyalty, their law-breaking actions could not go unnoticed. About two months later, the Akō Rōshi were ordered to commit seppuku. The Akō Rōshi accepted their fate with honor and dignity as they committed suicide quietly. The Kira family was also abolished, and Ōishi Kuranosuke's wish was fulfilled. But that's not all. A few years later, the Asano family was restored to power.

The graves of the Akō Rōshi are located near Asano Takumi-no-kami’s grave, and many people visit to pay their respects. Chūshingura tells a story of revenge, but it also highlights the samurai’s stand against injustice and their loyalty to their lord. To uphold their beliefs, they had to make significant sacrifices, including ties with family and friends, and even their own lives. Despite facing significant losses, they persevered and achieved their goals, earning praise according to the values of their time. This is why the shogun honored their actions, and the story has been retold in kabuki and jōruri performances over the years. However, from a modern perspective, how does this story resonate? The differences in how beliefs are held and acted upon raise new questions to be considered.

Kagakuji Temple is the site of the Asano family’s ancestral graves. It’s also where the hair of the Akō Rōshi was delivered after they committed seppuku. This temple has preserved the legacy of the Asano family, and we hope you’ll reflect on your journey so far and share the story of Chūshingura from your perspective.

*This guide was created based on documents and interviews and includes some interpretation done by us at ON THE TRIP. Theories differ between experts, so try to find out what really happened on your travels!

ON THE TRIP Editing Team
Akihito Shiga
Hiroshi Honma
Yūki Naruse
Io Kawauchi