In 1701, a certain Lord named Asano was provoked by, and attacked the protocol lord, Kira in the grounds of Edo (Tokyo) Castle, and for that, he was ordered to committ seppuku, or hara-kiri. Asano's men were banished, but reformed on the night of Dec. 14 1703, attacked Kira's mansion, and took his head in revenge for their lord's death. While I was in Tokyo, I decided to visit the site of Kira's mansion. On the way there, I saw this poster promoting an event celebrating the attack!
The streets around Kira's former mansion were closed off and full of people and stalls.
In front of the former gate to the mansion, I came across an actor portraying Oishi Kuranosuke, Asano's loyal retainer, and leader of the men who stormed the home of Lord Kira.
Lord Kira was there too! Well, why wouldn't he be, this was after all, his land we were on!
A rare pic of former foes seemingly getting on together. After seeing the site where the attack took place, I later went to the Sengakuji temple where the Loyal 47 are laid to rest. More details on the 47 Ronin Incident, or Chushingura as it's known, can be found on my history blog, LOST SAMURAI.
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