With clarity of purpose, Ōishi started selecting companions who were ready to join his quest. Over half his initial supporters withdrew during this selection process. Ultimately, 47 loyal Akō Rōshi remained. A key figure in the plan was Yoshida Chuzaemon, who served as Ōishi’s strategist. He meticulously organized the raid and carried out nightly surveillance of Kira’s residence to ensure their success. One of his most ingenious strategies involved disguising themselves as firefighters, allowing them to swiftly approach the scene of the fire without raising suspicion.

At this point, consider the retainers who didn’t participate in the raid. What were their feelings when they parted ways with Ōishi, and what kind of lives did they go on to lead? Especially since they may have been the ones most affected by the incident. How did the citizens of Akō, who remained in the castle town, perceive the incident? Today, the people of Ako refer to them as “Akō Gishi” instead of “Akō Rōshi,” which carries a sense of pride. If you have the opportunity to speak with someone from Akō in the castle town, it might be insightful to ask them about their feelings regarding this event.