Loyalty and Revenge at Sengakuji

Within walking distance of Shinagawa station is a famous Buddhist temple called Sengakuji. I had some time so I walked to the temple grounds and saw the graves of the "47 Samurai".

The 47 Samurai story began in 1701 with a disagreement between two feudal lords. Kira Kozukenosuke did not show Asano Takuminkami the proper amount of respect. Because of this insult, Asano attacked Kira. Unfortunately for Asano, he wasn't able to kill Kira, and he broke the law by drawing a sword within Edo Castle.

Asano was sentenced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide), and after his death, his estate was confiscated.

Asano's retainers felt that he was unjustly treated. They swore to take revenge on Kira. They waited and for two years planned their revenge. Then under the direction of Oishi Kuranosuke, 47 samurai attacked and killed Kira at his home. They took Kira's head to Asano's grave within Sengakuji temple as a way of showing that they finally avenged what happened to their lord.

The 47 samurai then turned themselves in to the Shogunate and were sentenced to commit "seppuku". The were all buried at Sengakuji. This story of the 47 Samurai is frequently told in Japan as an example of loyalty.

Here is a picture of some of their graves.