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The Japanese legend of the 47 ronin: fairy tale or reality?

Ronin- a samurai who was left without his master. There is a Japanese legend of 47 ronin in history, which is more than 300 years old.

Fairy tale or true story?

The Japanese legend of the 47 ronin is based on real events, although over time, of course, it began to acquire additional details, which may or may not have been.

The literary version was written in 1748 Takeda Izumo, 2nd - Namiki Senryu and Miyoshi Sooraku... 47 Ronin A Japanese tale about the loyalty of the samurai is still staged in the Kabuki theater. The first screening of the play took place once after the incident that is told in the legend.

During the reign of the fifth shogun of the Tokugawa clan, the daimyo Asano Naganori ruled in the city of Ako on the shores of the Inland Sea. He became a daimyo when he was only 9 years old, inheriting the post from his father. In the beginning, the province numbered over 300 samurai.

The main vassal samurai at that time was Ooishi Kuranosuke Yoshio. His family served the loyal Asano family for many years, providing advice and calming the family's violent temper. It was stipulated that one of the younger daughters of Asano was married to one of the ancestors of Ooishi Yoshio.

How the story began

It was rumored that it was Oishi Kuranosuke who was the true ruler of Ako. It was at that time that the extraction of salt from sea water was improved. To this day, it is considered the best mining site in Kansai. The young ruler Ako was fond of poetry and enjoyed life.

Naganori studied all the possible disciplines that a samurai and daimyo should have been engaged in, but somehow he had no particular hobby for science. It was said that he was very fond of the female half of the population and was a favorite of them. It is for this reason that he valued his vassals not for loyalty or ability to manage, but how beautiful a girl they are, they are ready to deliver to him.

But he married Aguri Miyoshi, solely to continue the dynasty. The Miyoshi family belonged to the distant branches of the Asano clan. Despite the marriage, the beauty did not prevent her husband from continuing ties with numerous mistresses. This was the tradition of samurai wives, they did not interfere with the hobbies of their noble husbands. But they did not have children in their entire life together, and according to the traditions of those times, such a daimyo was completely unthinkable.

If the daimyo is childless, then after death all his property and possessions were confiscated to the treasury, and the samurai took the rank of ronin (a samurai who was left without an owner). To avoid this, Asano adopted his younger brother, Nagahiro.

It was after the official announcement that the brother became the next heir to the family. There is a possibility that it was Oishi Kuranosuke who gave Naganori advice on adoption, because at that time the head of the samurai already had children and an official successor. But it was his son who really needed a ruler, so that by the time he grew up he would not become a ronin, who would not have a percussion place of residence and income.

As the official ruler of Asano, Naganori had an official job as a shogun, besides having fun. Indeed, despite the fact that the daimyo has velen provinces, he is still in the life-long officer service of the emperor. Takumi-no-kami is the official title of Asano Naganori.

The essence of the conflict

The Japanese legend of the 47 ronin says that on New Year's Eve in 1701, Asano was officially recognized as the host of an ambassador from the reigning emperor Higashiyama-tenno (1674-1705). Despite the fact that the emperor had honor and great respect in the state, he did not have formal power in the state.

Each shogun was formally a vassal of the emperor and his official subjects, so every New Year they sent rich gifts to the emperor, and the ruler, as a polite ruler should do, sent ambassadors to the most powerful of his subjects, with reciprocal gifts. The imperial ambassador had to be met in the right way, with all the inherent ceremonies and honors. Even a special office was created in the empire, which observed all the prescriptions and ceremonies that must be performed upon admission. The position was called master of ceremonies.

Ruler Ako, leaving his domain, was forced to travel to cold and windy Edo to fulfill his assigned duty. By status, he could take with him a limited number of vassal samurai and his legal wife. The head of the samurai remained at the head of the ancestral castle.

The Edo settlement was famous for its longing and boredom. The shogun ruler Tsunayoshi brutally but promptly evicted all courtesans, geisha, theater actors from the city and removed all entertainment. Boredom consisted of constant pretense at ceremonies, court etiquette, and bowing. Since the old mentor Kira Yoshinaka distributed errands and advised the new daimyo how to act, gifts and gifts were attached to him in gratitude.

Asano Naganori was young, energetic and arrogant, but there was no one to explain to the ruler that he should not spoil relations with schemers who were more powerful than him. Gifts here were more like a necessity, and the further development of the provinces and further foreign policy depended on the correct selection of gifts and their presentation to powerful people. It was at this meeting that Kira Yoshinaka came to hate Naganori.

And subsequently, claims began against the ruler. Incorrect appointment time, etiquette rules; which do not report correctly; incorrect notification of the arrival of important and honorable guests is just a small list of the reproaches that Yoshinaka provided. This led to personal reproaches towards Asano Naganori: a redneck, an ignoramus who does not observe etiquette and does not respect anyone but himself.

This problem was put forward for consideration by the shogun government and the fate of Naganori was decided after a few hours. A decision was put forward by the shoguns to collect all property in favor of the state treasury. According to the laws of the empire, in general, both sides of the conflict were supposed to punish, but the shoguns, most likely, considered Yoshinaka very famous and powerful. After Asano Naganori learned of the shoguns' decision, he committed seppuku, leaving the entire clan of personal samurai as ronin.

Such is the sad story of devoted samurai, which has become a folk legend in Japan.

Video: Exhibition of 47 Ronin

Revenge and dedication of the Samurai.

The shogun's castle was served by two noble samurai - Kira Yoshihisa and Asano Naganori. Kira had the rank of Grand Master of Ceremonies, and Asano owned Ako Castle and was the heir to a very wealthy and noble family. He had 300 samurai in his service. Life in the castle went on as usual until Kira was inflamed with passion for the young and beautiful wife of Asano. He even tried to seduce her, but she remained faithful to her husband and angrily rejected all the claims of the insolent person. Kira decided to take out anger at Asano, whom he now considered his main enemy. However, Kira was a hereditary warrior and knew perfectly well that every minute of his life he must follow the bushido code, which forbids doing whatever he pleases. Cyrus's evil mind told him: it is necessary to force Asano to break bushido. An opportunity soon presented itself. In March 1701, the shogun received three emissaries from the emperor at his residence. Asano was charged with a worthy reception. Kira refused to help Asano, and on the day of the official reception he criticized and openly laughed at him in every possible way, insulting the samurai in front of the entire court. Asano turned pale and raised his hand to his sword, which was inseparable from him. Asano faced a difficult problem. If he responds to the insult, he will violate the bushido, according to which the shogun's palace is a sacred place where, on pain of death, the sword cannot be drawn. But if you ignore the insult, he will become a coward in the eyes of others, and only death will wash away the shame. After a moment's hesitation, Asano drew his sword and wounded the offender. Kira's nefarious plan succeeded: Asano was immediately captured by the guards. The shogun's verdict was harsh: seppuku. In silence, Asano returned to his castle. He was calm, because he knew that his brave deed would be reckoned to him in heaven and grant him a new rebirth in a better world. Carefully dressed in white ritual clothes, Asano wrote a farewell poem, recalling "his 36 years, which fell like flower petals overnight." Further, according to custom, he retired to a special pavilion and performed hara-kiri according to all the rules. All Asano's property was automatically confiscated, and his 300 vassals turned into ronin overnight. After the funeral ceremony, they all dispersed in all directions. Everything except 47. Indeed, according to bushido, although Asano washed away his "mistake" with blood, he bequeathed to his loyal vassals to avenge himself. They must either immediately follow their master into the afterlife, or wash away the insult that fell on their entire clan.

And here they are for the last time in the master's house - 47 loyal vassals, courageous and noble warriors. Everyone remembered the day when they vowed to be faithful to their master until the end of their days. On that day, with a brush dipped in their own blood, they wrote an oath of allegiance on a piece of paper. Then they burned it in front of the altar and, mixing ash with sake, drank this drink to the bottom. Fulfilling the oath of loyalty, the samurai decided to take revenge on Kira for their master. Kira guessed about possible revenge. Having retired to his castle, he doubled and then tripled the security, knowing that from now on his life was in danger. But Oishi Kuranosuke, the leader of the ronin, found a way to lull Kira's suspicions. Rumors began to spread deliberately that the ronins from Ako had forgotten their master and were more concerned with their own welfare than the memory of Asano. They parted in different directions, and each went about his own business. Someone improved in ken-jutsu, who hired a bodyguard for a wealthy merchant. And Oishi, who was relentlessly followed by a spy sent by Kira, spent all the time in the noisy quarters of Kyoto, indulging in drunkenness and revelry in order to lull the spy's suspicions. For two years, the ronin wandered around the country. Their apparent oblivion of their master caused contempt and hatred among other samurai. Everyone made fun of them. And gradually Kira forgot his fears and removed the guards.

On a frosty night on December 14, 1702, after many days of careful reconnaissance and collecting information about the movements of Kir Yoshinak, at 4 o'clock in the morning, two groups of ronin attacked Kir's house from two sides: one, led by Ooishi's son, Chikara-Yoshikane, from the rear gate, and the second, led by Ooishi Kuranosuke Yoshio personally, broke into the main gate. The beating of drums coordinated the actions of both groups .... Archers placed in advance knocked down Cyrus's servants who were trying to get out of the house for help. And on the eve of the warned of the attack, the neighbors, who hated Cyrus, also did nothing to protect him. The house was captured by the attackers in less than an hour. 16 of Cyrus's servants were killed and 22 were wounded, including Cyrus's grandson. There were no casualties among the attackers, only a few minor wounds. But Cyrus himself was not found among the fighters! They checked the whole house. There is not! But in Cyrus's bedroom the bed still keeps the warmth of the human body ... The house was searched again. And in a dark closet for storing coal in the farthest corner of the kitchen, Kira was finally discovered and brought to Ooishi ... With a full meeting of all his accomplices, Ooishi offered Kira Yoshinaka the very sword that Asano Naganori had performed hara-kiri with. And he provided an opportunity for the samurai, according to the position of Kira Yoshinaka, to die like worthy samurai die, having committed hara-kiri immediately with all an honest meeting. But Kira refused. And then Ooishi Kuranosuke Yoshio personally cut off Kira Yoshinaka's head with the same sword that his master Asano Naganori was holding in his last hour ... After which the entire team of now avenged ronins marched from Kira's house to the Sengaku-ji Buddhist temple. On the way, he sent two messengers to the Shyogun's palace with an announcement of justice. And at the same time sending there the youngest in rank and position among them as a witness. At the Sengaku-ji cemetery, having washed the head of Kira Yoshinaka in the spring, the ronins solemnly laid it at the tombstone on the grave of Asano Naganori and reported on their honest work. Asano Naganori's spirit was from now on calm ...

In the late evening of February 4, 1703, 46 ronin committed ritual suicide. And they were solemnly buried in the same Sengakuji cemetery next to their master Asano Naganori.

The shogun pardoned only one: the most junior ronin in rank and position. Who returned to Ako, lived a long and fulfilling life, wrote memoirs of this story and died a natural death at the age of 71. He was buried there, in the Sengakuji Temple, next to all his comrades.

I must say this story took place in the city of Edo - present-day Tokyo. What is the instructive story for us, residents of the 21st century? And the fact that a decent person always remains decent, even after death, and the scoundrel must face punishment. This is what 47 ronin bequeathed to us!

Foreword

Today we will talk about one of the most famous legends of the land of the rising sun, namely the story "Forty-seven Ronin from Ako". Tradition tells of 47 vassals who gave their lives for the honor of their master. It should be noted that there are many misconceptions and omissions about this. This article will shed some light on some of them.

History

Early 18th century over the castle Ako, provinces Harima ruled by a great daimyo by name Asano Takumi no Kami(in some sources Asano Naganori). One day one of the courtiers mikado was directed to shogunTokugawa Tsunaeshi in town Edo ... Takumi no Kami and no less famous Kamei Sama were appointed to receive the distinguished guest, and also to arrange a great feast in honor of his arrival. A gifted official Kotsuke no Suke was appointed to teach the gentlemen the etiquette prescribed for such occasions.

Both noble gentlemen visited the castle every day Shiro to listen to instructions Kotsuke no Suke... The latter was a very greedy man and expected great rewards from the great daimyo. But instead, he received the standard reward for his efforts, as prescribed by ancient tradition. And after that Kotsuke no Suke harbored a grudge against the gentlemen and refused to continue his studies. He also did not miss the opportunity to ridicule them at court.

* Tokugawa Tsunayoshi (徳 川 綱 吉; February 23, 1646 (Year of the Dog) - February 19, 1709) - 5th shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty, feudal ruler of Japan, who ruled the country from 1680 to 1709. Also known as the Dog Shogun.

* Mikado (帝 (御 門), "high gate") is the oldest, now obsolete title for the secular supreme ruler of Japan, now called tenno (son of the sky). The term meant not only the monarch himself, but his house, court and even the state. The native Japanese do not use this term - it has been dropped from official documents.

* Edo (江 戸) - old name Tokyo, the modern capital of Japan, until 1868. This is the name of the old central part of the city near Edo Castle. Throughout the Edo period (1603-1867), the city played the role of the political and administrative center of Japan, although it was not the capital of the country, the role of which was played at that time by Kyoto. The city was a residence Tokugawa shogunate who ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868.

Takumi no Kami restrained by a sense of duty, he patiently endured all the antics and ridicule in his address. But Kamei Sama was less restrained, and after another trick fell into a rage and decided to kill the scoffer. And on the very first night after the end of his service, he called his advisers to a meeting. He told them that Kotsue no Suke him and Takumi no Kami when they performed their duty and served under the person of the imperial ambassador. He stated that he could not put up with such a gross violation of decency. He tried to destroy him on the spot, but remembered that this would bring great dishonor to his family and would cost him and his vassals their lives. He decided to settle scores with his enemy the next day at court. After the conference, one of his faithful servants asked for an audience. He was a very perspicacious man and reminded his master of the consequences of such a decision. But Kamei already in the mood for revenge. Then the servant asked for forgiveness and left.

But the servant understood that such an outcome of events would not bring anything good. He pondered his plan of action for a long time and finally decided that Kotsuke no Suke very greedy person and can be bribed. He collected all the money available and personally came to the palace. Kotsuke no Suke... Meeting with vassals Kotsuke no Suke , he gave them gold and asked to convey a sincere apology from Kamei Sama... It is known that he collected about a thousand silver coins. Also, the adviser allocated about a hundred coins for the servants. Kotsuke no Suke so that they perform at their best. When the servants saw the money, their eyes shone with happiness and they hurried to their master. Kotsuke no Suke he was so delighted that he personally received the adviser Kamei Sama and assured that on this their disagreements finished and that the next day he will be polite and give very careful instructions Kamei Sama.

Kamei Sama with grim determination he came to the palace in order to get rid of his enemy forever. But unlike the previous day, today, Kotsuke no Suke was extremely courteous. His deference is a fiction limit. He lavished compliments and apologized for his shamelessness. Kamei thawed herself and gave up the intent to kill Kotsuke no Suke.

But lavishing compliments Kotsuke no Suke did not forget to insult and humiliate in every possible way Takumi no Kame... He patiently endured all the insults and did not pay attention to them. This behavior was angry Kotsuke no Suke and he finally said arrogantly, "Hey sir Takumi, tie on my tabi untied, take the trouble to tie it to me. " Takumi no Kami obeyed and tied a string on the tabi.

*Tabi (足 袋) are traditional Japanese socks. Ankle-high and detached thumb; they are worn by both men and women with zori, geta, and other traditional footwear with straps. Tabi are also important when wearing traditional clothing such as kimonos and other types of wafuku, including those worn by samurai in the Middle Ages. The most common color is white, and white tabi are worn in formal situations such as the tea ceremony.

Then Kotsuke no Suke turning away from him, irritated him: "Oh, you are so clumsy! You don't even know how to tie strings on tabi as it should be! Looking at you, everyone will say: here is a real redneck who has no idea of ​​the capital's manners and decency." This statement amused those around him and himself. Kotsuke no Suke burst out into an insulting laugh. Then he walked slowly to his chambers. But Takumi no Kami was furious. He ran to Kotsuke no Suke and drew his dagger as he turned around. Takumi aimed his punch right at the head, but the head Kotsuke no Suke protected by the high cap of the courtier.

And he got off with just a slight scratch. Kotsuke no Suke sharply came to his senses and began to flee. But Takumi caught up with him and struck another blow. But he missed and stuck his dagger into a wooden post. At this very moment, a senior samurai named Kajikawa Yoshobei rushed to the rescue Kotsuke no Suke and grabbed the enraged Takumi behind. Kotsuke no Suke escaped safely.

To be continued...

This temple is already very popular among the Japanese, who gather here annually on December 14 to commemorate the 47 ronin. And now, thanks to Hollywood cinema, the West has learned about this temple. Few people, before the film with Keanu Reeves, saw the old Japanese "47 ronin" by Akira Kurosawa, read or watched the play "Tüsingura" :) Now in this temple you can often meet foreign tourists.

So what happened? What is this temple and how does it relate to the 47 samurai?

This small Buddhist temple is famous for its cemetery, where all 47 samurai are buried. Correctly they should be called "ronins" - these are samurai who were left without their master-suzerain.

Who has not read or watched, I will tell you a short story.
In March 1701, Asano Takumi-no-Kami, the ruler of the Ako region (today it is Hyogo Prefecture), having lost patience after the insults and bullying of the self-confident official Kira Kozukenosuke, attacked (or, as various sources say, simply drew a katana) on him right in the castle Edo, but was unable to kill him in the attack. On the same day, Asano was sentenced to seppuku (ripping open the abdomen), while Kira was not punished at all, despite the existing custom of punishing both sides of the brawl.

In addition, the entire Asano family was deprived of power, and loyal samurai (now ronin) Asano were left without work. Having lost their master, forty-seven ronin, led by Oishi Kuranosuke, took an oath to avenge death for death, despite the fact that they were facing a death sentence.

In order not to arouse suspicion, the conspirators disappeared into the crowd, becoming merchants and monks. And Oishi moved to Kyoto and began to lead a riotous lifestyle, divorced his wife and took a young concubine. Over time, having learned that the ronins had scattered in all directions, and that Oishi was drinking, Kira weakened his guard and became more careless.

Meanwhile, the ronin secretly collected and transported weapons to Edo, gaining confidence in Kira's household (one of Asano's former servants even married the daughter of an official's estate builder in order to get construction plans).
When everything was ready for the fulfillment of his plans, Oishi secretly moved to Edo, where all the conspirators met and swore an oath of vengeance anew.

On December 14, 1702, a group of 47 ronin led by Oishi Kuranosuke attacked Kira's house. Kira managed to hide in the house with the women and children in a large closet, and for a long time they could not find him. However, Oishi, after checking Kira's bed and making sure it was still warm, overcame despair at the seemingly imminent failure and continued his search. Soon, a secret passage was discovered behind a wall scroll that led to a hidden courtyard with a small coal storage building, protected by two armed guards. Kira was discovered there. Oishi respectfully told him that they were ronin - former servants of Asano, who had come to avenge their master. As a samurai, Kira was asked to commit ritual suicide through seppuku, but he refused. Then Oishi himself killed Kira, chopping off his head.

The Ronin brought Cyrus's severed head to the Sengakuji Temple. Initially, having washed her in the well, they laid her on the grave of their master, thereby fulfilling the oath.

The authorities were in a difficult situation: on the one hand, the ronins acted in accordance with the letter and spirit of bushido - the samurai code, avenging their overlord; on the other hand, they disobeyed the shogun's orders, infiltrated Edo with weapons and attacked the court official. Due to the growing popularity of the forty-seven ronin among the people, the shogun received many petitions for them, but, as expected, sentenced the conspirators to death. However, they were allowed to perform the noble ritual of ritual suicide, as befits real samurai, instead of being executed as criminals.
Seppuku took place on February 4, 1703. The youngest was sent home to Ako as a messenger. The forty-six remaining ronin in Edo were buried in the same monastery as their master. Their graves have since become objects of worship, and their clothes and weapons are said to be kept by the Sengaku-ji monks to this day. The good name of the Asano clan was restored, and part of the former possessions was even returned to his family. The last of this group of ronin returned to Edo, was pardoned by the shogun, and lived for 78 years. Buried next to his comrades.

The plot of the story of the 47 ronin was successfully used in the productions of the Kabuki theater performances. Moreover, the first such play appeared two weeks after the death of the ronin. And now the play remains one of the most popular in Japan, where loyalty, patience and will are some of the most respected human qualities.

The plot of "Forty-seven Ronin" became popular among Japanese artists who worked in the technique of woodcutting.

The main temple.

The main massive wooden gate was rebuilt in 1832.

Oishi Kuranosuke will meet you at the entrance.

Meditating Buddhist monk Sawaki Kodo, who played a large role in 20th century Zen Buddhism.

Alley leading to the burial place of 47 ronin.

This is the same well where the ronins washed Kira's head before placing it on the grave of their master Asano.

Here they are, all the graves with the same tombstones.

Oishi's grave.

Grave plan. Here you can see that the grave of Mr. Asano is located to the right, outside the territory where the ronins are buried.

There is a small museum on the territory of the temple, where things belonging to 47 ronin are kept, but I never went there.

The story of the forty-seven ronin
or the Samurai of the Eastern Capital

On the fifteenth day of the last month of the 15th year of the Genroku era (1702), the capital of Japan, Edo (modern Tokyo), was shocked by an extremely unusual news: on the seventh watch - at four o'clock in the morning - the house of a high-ranking government official, master of ceremonies at the court of the shogun (military ruler of Japan), was attacked.

This made an overwhelming impression: over the hundred years of the Tokugawa dynasty, Japan was thoroughly accustomed to a peaceful and law-abiding existence. Therefore, the event, which ended in the death of a government official, was perceived as something out of the ordinary, although not entirely unexpected. It was well known in Edo what caused it.

One year nine months before this event - the 14th day of the third month of the 14th year of the Genroku era (1701) - in the so-called "Pine Corridor" of the shogun's castle in Edo, the thirty-five-year-old Asano Takumi-no kami Naganori, sword in hand, attacked the elderly Kira Kozuke- but the suke Yoshinaka - the head of a noble aristocratic family and master of ceremonies at the shogun's court - and wounded him. It was strictly forbidden to draw a sword in the palace, no reasons were taken into account.

The circumstances of the attack have now been thoroughly investigated in Japanese literature; various primary sources have been identified, on the basis of which the course of events can be accurately reconstructed. The most authoritative was considered the "Diary of Kajiwara" ("Kajiwara-shinikki"), left by a witness and a direct participant in what was happening.

Events developed like this.

Every year, the shogun government (bakufu) in the first month of the new year sent representatives of the military ruler to Kyoto to the emperor's court to bring congratulations on the beginning of the new year. A return visit to the shogun was carried out in the third month: imperial ambassadors and an ambassador from the ex-emperor were sent to Edo. For the government, this was a ceremony of the utmost importance, and the daimyos (large feudal lords) appointed to receive the imperial ambassadors were carefully instructed to avoid the slightest oversight.

In the 14th year of the Genroku era, three ambassadors arrived in Edo: two from the reigning emperor Higashiyama-tenno (1674-1705) - Yanagihara saki-no dainagon Sukekado and Takano saki-no chunagon Yasuharu, and one from the ex-emperor Reigen-joko (1654- 1732) - Seikanji saki no dainagon Hirosada.

Asano Naganori was appointed to receive the first two ambassadors, and the ex-emperor's ambassador was met by Date Kikyo no suke Muneharu, the head of the Yoshida clan in Iyo province.

The imperial ambassadors arrived in Edo on the 11th day of the third month. The next day they had an audience with the shogun, on the third day they attended a performance by the Noh theater in honor of the guests, and on the last day of their stay in Edo, a gratitude ceremony was supposed, as well as a procedure for presenting reciprocal gifts from the shogun and his wife to ambassadors from Kyoto. appreciation for their work. All this was to take place at ten o'clock in the morning in Shirosoin - the White Office of the shogun's palace.

The "Ako incident" took place shortly before this ceremony. By coincidence, at the scene of the tragedy, it was at this time that Kajikawa Yoseobi Yoriteru, who was in charge of the internal security of the castle, appeared. On that day, he was in charge of delivering gifts from the shogun's wife to the White Office.

The White Office in the Edos castle was connected to the Reception Hall by a special Pine T-shaped corridor. Fusuma (sliding partitions that formed the walls of the corridor) were painted with landscapes depicting a seashore overgrown with pine trees - hence the name of the corridor. The rooms adjacent to the corridor were full of excitement and anxious bustle that morning. Between nine and ten o'clock in the morning, the head of the palace guard, Kajikawa Yoriteru, was passing along this corridor, heading to the White Office, where the presenting ceremony was to take place.

At that time, Kira Yoshinaka was walking towards Yoriteru and the White Cabinet. Having met, they stopped and entered into conversation. No sooner had they thrown two or three words, when suddenly Asano Naganori appeared behind Kira's back and exclaimed: "Do you remember about my hatred for you recently ?!" - hit him with a sword. The blow fell on the forehead, but it was not fatal: Kira was only slightly wounded, started to run, and although Asano struck him twice with his sword (both blows fell on Kira's right shoulder), all the wounds were insignificant.

This in itself, of course, is strange: after all, everyone knows the skill of the Japanese samurai in wielding a sword (it is repeatedly extolled in the texts of the Kuniyoshi series). Perhaps the failure of the assassination attempt is due to the fact that the blows were inflicted with a small sword, and not with a large, combat one - after all, in the shogun's chambers, the carrying of military weapons was strictly prohibited.

Anyway, when Kira fell, the chief of security Kajikawa grabbed Asano from behind and knocked him down. Other visitors to the castle came running to the noise. Asano was disarmed and taken to the "Willow Room" (Yanagi no ma), and then, by order of the shogun Tsunayoshi, he was escorted into custody at Tamura Ukyodayu's mansion.

Thus, Kira Yoshinaka survived, although Asano did not know this at the time. When he was escorted from the scene of the assassination attempt, in excitement he shouted: "Now I have avenged!" Asano was confident that his vengeance had succeeded.

So, the incident happened between nine and ten o'clock, and at eleven o'clock Asano was already at the Tamura mansion. In the Eden castle, an emergency meeting was convened, led by the shogun himself, to choose the punishment for Asano. In the afternoon, the punishment was seppuku - the ritual ripping open of the abdomen. In the evening of the same day, it was carried out in the Tamura mansion according to all the rules.

The verdict was harsh, but Asano's crime, according to the norms of that time, was grave. If Asano attacked Cyrus in a fit of madness, only he himself would be punished. But in this case, it was a deliberately deliberate revenge, so the punishment extended to the entire clan: Asano's possessions were confiscated.

According to tradition, before his suicide, Asano left his death verses (jisei):

From the capital's Asano mansion, emergency ambassadors were dispatched to Ako Castle. There were two ambassadors: Hayami Tazaemon and Kayano Sampei (both were later included in the number of 47 vassals and participated in the assault). Their path ran along the Tokaido tract - from Edo to Kyoto, and further - along the Sanyodo road (in the direction of the modern city of Kobe) - to the Ako castle in the province of Harima (modern Hyogo prefecture).

The envoys rode in special "high-speed palanquins" (hayaka-go), but even for them the speed of movement was extraordinary. Hayami Tazaemon was the first to arrive - at about six o'clock in the morning on the 19th day of the 3rd month (according to another version - around 10 o'clock in the evening on the 18th day). Thus, he covered the entire journey in 3 days and approximately 10 hours. Kayano Sampei arrived half a day later. The speed is truly amazing for those times: to overcome only the Tokaido tract (there were 53 stations on it), it usually took at least fifteen days.

A meeting of vassals was assembled, headed by Oishi Kuranosuke Yoshio-karo (general manager of the castle). The ambassadors informed everyone who was in the Ako castle about what had happened: the master committed suicide, the clan was disbanded, the possessions were confiscated, and all the samurai who served Naganori were now deprived of their source of existence and turned into ronin - vassals without a master. And it was impossible to appeal against the court decision.

For all, now former vassals of Asano, it was incomprehensible, however, the reasons for the attack on Kira Yoshinaka remained. At the present time, there is no complete clarity on this issue. There are different points of view. Some researchers suggest that the reason for Asano's attack is a sudden outburst of anger, others point to some misunderstandings around the secret of salt mining, which belonged to the Ako clan, and still others consider the rivalry between the salt industries of Ako and Kira as a reason. Most contemporary sources (including the aforementioned "Kajikawa's Diary") do not name the reason for the attack.

However, in one of the documents of that time - in the diary of the samurai Asahi Bunzaemon from the Owari clan "Omu rotyu ki" ("Notes from a parrot's cage") - a fairly detailed coverage of the incident is given. In accordance with these "Notes", everything happened like this. According to the established tradition, each daimyo, when it was his turn to lead the reception of the imperial ambassadors, received instructions from Kira Yoshinaka on the order of the ceremonial. In gratitude for the lesson, the daimyo usually presented Kira with gifts. However, Asano did not want to please Cyrus and did not make any offerings. Yoshinaka was a very greedy man, and everyone who asked him for guidance knew about it in advance. But Asano considered the established custom disgusting - this is how Asahi Bunzaemon characterized Asano's motives. This is probably why Asano did not receive any instructions, Kira demonstratively did not pay any attention to him. Of course, accepting the ambassadors, Asano made many mistakes, and this tormented him. On the fateful day, Kira spoke of Asano's preparedness in the most derogatory and insulting terms, arguing that Asano could only offend the imperial ambassadors - he is so rude and uncouth.

All this irritated Asano to the extreme, and, unable to contain his anger, he drew his sword ... It was this version of the reasons for Asano's attack that was most widespread at that period. It found its reflection in official sources, for example, in "Tokugawa Jikki" ("Authentic Notes on the Tokugawa House"), it also penetrated into the drama of the Kabuki theater. This theater, without exaggeration, was the city's most beloved art form, in particular, because it responded to loud, topical events in life, albeit in a very peculiar form. The "Ako Incident" and the story of revenge of the forty-seven ronin made so much noise that Kabuki could not stand aside. (Perhaps it was thanks to Kabuki that this version was later recognized as historically accurate.)

In this case, the theater's reaction was instantaneous.

Ten days after the "loyal vassals" committed seppuku on the orders of the bakufu, the play "Akebono Soga yeuchi" ("The attack of the Soga brothers at the end of the night") was staged on the stage of the capital's Nakamuradza theater. The play told about the Ako incident, but the events were transferred to more ancient times - to the beginning of the Kamakura period (late 12th century) - and disguised as a long-known event in history during the reign of Minamoto Yoritomo - the revenge of the Soga brothers on their father's offender. It should be noted that this kind of historical (or pseudo-historical) camouflage has become common, in one form or another, for interpreting the story of the forty-seven ronin.

However, despite the camouflage (writers, playwrights or artists were forced to resort to this technique in order to circumvent the government's ban on the depiction of all contemporary events in art), the public immediately managed to figure out what was really at stake. Therefore, the play was performed only twice: on the third day, the performance was banned.

However, interest in this topic did not fade: in the sixth month of the third year of the Hoei era (1706), a play by the most famous playwright of the Tokugawa period, Monzaemon Chikamatsu (1653-1724), was staged at the Takemotoza Theater in Osaka. Historical camouflage was used here as well: the title of the play itself seems to indicate that it depicts events taken from the historical chronicle "Taiheiki" ("The Legend of the Great Peace", circa 1368-1375), which tells about the events of the internecine war time of Nambokucho (II half of the XIV century), although in reality we are talking about the Ako incident. Despite the fact that this play was written by the most famous playwright, it did not enjoy much popularity and did not last long on the stage. Nevertheless, it was this play that became the basis for later dramatic works on this topic. In particular, it uses the so-called hemei - "changed names" of characters, which were forbidden to be brought to the stage in the open for one reason or another. Later, this technique became traditional, and even for many historical characters, hemei chosen once and for all were assigned. So, for example, Nobunaga was turned into Harunaga, Hideyoshi - into Hisayoshi, Kato Kiyomasa - Sato Masakiyo, etc. The same applies to the names of the 47 ronin. For the first time here, Oishi Kuranosuke was bred under the name Ooshi Yuranosuke, Asano Takumi-no kami Naganori - under the name Enya Hangan Takasada, etc.

The most famous play on this topic was "Kanadehon Tusingura" ("The Treasury of Samurai Loyalty"). The play was written in 1748 by Takeda Izumo (1691-1756), Namiki Senryu (1693-1749), and Miyoshi Shuraku (1693-?). In it, too, events are transferred to the XIV century and, as in the work of Chikamatsu, the actual "Ako incident" is "surrounded" with other events, characters and entourage. Here, for the first time, another version of the reason for Asano Naganori's assassination attempt on Kira Yoshinaka appears: as if the official harassed Asano's wife and that became aware of this.

The play "Kanadehon Tusingura" has a complex, skillfully encrypted form, which is evident in its very title: the word "kana" here can be understood in two ways. On the one hand, literally: kana - the syllabic Japanese alphabet-iroha (kanadezon is a textbook intended for the speedy study of the kana alphabet), iroha consists of 47 syllables, each syllable was associated with one of 47 ronin. But this word also has another meaning: kana, based on the hieroglyphic notation of this word, can also be understood as hemei, "borrowed name".

Actually, not much is said about the revenge of the vassals in the play, its main theme is the theme of human feelings.

In addition to Oishi Kuranosuke (this is Ooshi Yuranosuke on stage), there are only two loyal vassals in the play: Terazaka Kichiemon (Teraoka Hayemon) and Kayano Sampei (Hayano Kampei), who was forced to commit suicide before the assault and therefore did not participate in it, but was ranked among the "devotees. ".

It should be noted that, in all likelihood, the creation of this play was of an anniversary and memorial character: it is no coincidence that its first performance took place on the 14th day of the 8th month of the first year of Kan'en (1748) - forty-seven years later (which corresponds to the number of "devotees vassals ") after the events in the" Pine Corridor ".

Plays dedicated to this topic continued to appear in the future. For example, Chushin kosyaku (On Loyal Vassals), a joint work of Chikamatsu Hanji (1725-1783), Miyoshi Shouraku and Takeda Koizumo, the son of Takeda Izumo, dates back to 1766. However, none of them could compete with "Kanadehon Tusingura" - the most popular play about 47 ronin. This state of affairs continues to this day: on New Year's Eve (at about the same time as the vassals took revenge on Cyrus), "Tusingura" becomes a kind of leitmotif of the cultural life of Japan. Exhibitions, TV and radio broadcasts, Kabuki theater performances and films are dedicated to her.

The story of the 47 ronin became the property of not only the theater, it also found its way into kodan - oral stories - a genre highly popular during the Tokugawa period. Storytellers (kodansha) were located at the crossroads of the capital's busy streets, especially in the Ryogoku area (which, according to legend, was associated with the described story). Crowds gathered to listen to them. Sometimes tickets for the "seating" during the performances of famous kodansha were bought in advance.

Some of the kodansha stories have survived to this day. The lyrical connotation that characterized "Kanadehon Tusingura" is absent from their narration. Kodan focuses on the "heroic aspect" of the story. This also applies to the events preceding revenge, and to the details of its implementation, and to the characters of the characters, their habits, appearance, clothing and weapons. The descriptions of all this in the kodan are quite detailed, but the dynamics of the narrative did not break these details. Here is one of the tales that have come down to our days: "The time is the 14th day of the last month of 15 years to Genrok. ​​The torches of the companions in deep snow. The password is" mountain ", the response is" river. " that in the Matsuzaka quarter of the Honjo district, ended in complete success: for their master - Asano Naganori - they avenged, got the head of Kira Yoshinaka and left the battle site in the morning of the 15th day. a firemen's outfit with a "mountain" yamamichi pattern, a hood that covers the neck, trimmed with plates in the form of silver stars, a signal whistle is tied to the belt on a thin cord - the kind used in the Yamaga-ryu school, on the back there is a tanzaku strip of silver paper; on their feet are Waraji military straw shoes from those worn in the army of the Hojo clan. Here they are - the wounded and old men in the middle of the column, they are surrounded by young, full of strength warriors; here they go ... all ... led by the leader Ois and Kuranosuke, leave the battlefield ... and the morning snow creaks under the weight of their footsteps "(quoted from" Edo no jikenshi "-" History of incidents in Edo "- Kata Koji, Tokyo, Rippushobo, 1988. P.72). This is how the kodansha narrator described the final scene of the assault on Kira's mansion.

Let us return, however, to the historical events that preceded the assault - to the "Ako incident". At a meeting of vassals at Ako Castle, held after messengers from Edo delivered the sad news of what had happened, Asano's subjects were divided. Some (for example, Ono Kurobei) suggested accepting the lot of fate and disperse in search of a new refuge; others insisted on immediate "suicide after the master"; still others offered to wait and find an opportune moment in order to take revenge on the offender of their master. Among the latter was Oishi Kuranosuke, who led the avengers alliance, an alliance of forty-seven ronin. At the first stage, there may have been more of them, but some, for various reasons, could not take part in the assault and therefore were not included in the "canonized" composition of "devoted vassals".

Those who wanted revenge were in a difficult position. It was clear to everyone, including Kira Yoshinaka and his Uesugi clan, as well as the bakufu officials, that the Ako clan ronin would try to take revenge. Therefore, they were monitored. The rhonin should have been vigilant. By order of Oishi, the members of the avengers alliance dispersed to different places, did not communicate directly with each other, but everyone kept in touch with Oishi, who settled in Yamashina, in the house of his relatives, in the north of Kyoto (then - outside the city; currently there is a small Buddhist temple, and nearby is a Shinto shrine, which is called Oishi-jinja. The temple still preserves Oishi's personal belongings, letters, as well as sculptures of 47 vassals). It was there that he pondered a plan of attack. However, events did not develop in the best way. Cyrus heard rumors of an impending assassination attempt, and he took special precautions. To lull his vigilance, Oishi Kuranosuke left Yamashina and moved to Kyoto, in the Gion district. Here he led a riotous life, almost never left the Ichiriki entertainment establishment, located near the Kamogawa River (this fact was also beaten in Kanadehon Tussingura, thanks to which the institution gained extreme popularity and is now one of the most famous "must-see attractions "Kyoto).

However, Kuranosuke's spree was undertaken only to divert his eyes - to deceive Cyrus's spies, who were vigilantly watching him. And the deception was successful: at one time even friends doubted the reliability of Oishi. The goal was achieved - Oishi was able to depict such a depth of fall that no one had any doubts: this man had disappeared completely and could not pose the slightest danger.

After Oishi was informed that the increased security of Kira's mansion had been removed, he ordered the members of the union to secretly move to Edo. Here they settled in different houses, but all - not far from Cyrus's mansion. Everyone started their own business under an assumed name. So, Horibe Yasubei, under the name of Nagae Chzaemon, rented a dwelling in a shop called "Kii no kuniya", which was located in the Mitsume-Hayashi-cho quarter of the Honjo district (in the immediate vicinity of Kira's mansion), and made a living teaching the art of fencing ...

All this was a cover: the main and only goal of the "loyal vassals" was to find out the routes of Cyrus's movements around the city, the mode of life of his mansion and other things. The most direct way of this was Kanzaki Yogoro Noriyasu, who sold oranges in front of the entrance to Kira's mansion.

One of the main tasks of the "loyal vassals" was to obtain a plan for the mansion. In the plays and tales of the kodan, it is said that Okano Kanehide succeeded in doing this. However, Japanese researchers believe that the plan came from Horibe Yasubei, although it is not accurate: the rebuilt parts of the mansion were not marked on it. One way or another, the ronins kept vigilant surveillance behind the mansion. Kira Yoshinaka was a lover of the tea ceremony and was on friendly terms with the expert in this area, Yamada Sorin, whose house was located nearby. Otaka Gengo - one of forty-seven - studied this art in his youth, and he, disguised as a merchant and Osaka, entered Sorin's apprentices. From him we learned that in the last month of the year, Kira intends to host a large tea ceremony. The date was constantly changing, finally Yokogawa Kampei found out that the ceremony was scheduled for the 14th of the 12th month. This meant that at night Kira would be at her mansion. It was decided to carry out the attack on the same night.

This is not to say that the Edo authorities were unaware of the preparations of Oishi Kuranosuke and his subordinates: information about this reached them more than once. However, no measures were taken against the "loyal vassals" - it is likely that the authorities sympathized with them, and therefore turned a blind eye to everything. Such an allowance can be understood unequivocally: everyone in the capital understood that revenge for the master was the sacred duty (weight) of his vassals. And in samurai ethics, kettlebells were placed above all else.

Indeed, it was this feeling or belief that was the main factor that prompted each of the forty-seven to participate in the conspiracy. They well understood what end awaited them, but the depth of their devotion to their master, their duty to him left no room for doubt. Of course, you should not treat them as insensitive zombies, led by someone else's abstract idea. Devotion, gratitude to the master were sincere, and the warrior's code of ethics only gave their feelings an immutable form.

There is an opportunity to learn first-hand about the feelings of forty-seven ronin on the eve of the assault: letters from some of them have survived.

Onodera Junai, in a letter to his wife, frankly writes about readiness for death, about his love for his family, about duty. "As you well know, although we occupied a modest position, we lived from the very beginning, taking advantage of the innumerable graces of this house (Asano's house). It was only thanks to him that each of us was fed and warmed ... At a time like now, loitering in idleness would be a loss of dignity for the clan and a shame for its vassals, and therefore I will be betrayed<господину>to end. I firmly and irrevocably decided that I must die with dignity. Although I have not forgotten about my elderly mother, although I am thinking about my wife and children, I still want to say that there is no other way but to lay down my life in the name of weights - in the name of the principle of military duty. You should understand this by understanding, agree and not be overly sad. ... My insignificant property and money - everything will remain for you - for food and raising children. But life is so long! If the funds run out, then what to do? - everyone will have to die of starvation "(quoted from Nihon no rekishi 10, Takenaka Makoto. Edo to Osaka. Tokyo, Shogakukan, 1993. pp. 42-43).

It is clear from this passage: no matter how strong a warrior's love for his own family is, even the death of his children and wife is not able to prevent him from fulfilling his duty - to save the honor of the clan and his own honor, to avenge the death of his master.

In essence, Otaka Gengo expresses the same feelings in his letter from the 5th day of the 9th month of 15 years to Genrok to his mother, in which he informs about the conspiracy and says goodbye to her. “I’ll say frankly: I want to avenge my master’s offense, wash away the shame from the clan. In addition, having embarked on the path of a warrior and putting my life in the name of the principle of devotion, I will glorify the name that passed to me from my ancestors.”

One gets the impression that these letters - or at least their general content - were known to contemporaries, including the kodansha storytellers. In all likelihood, the author of the texts in the engravings of the Seichu Gishiden series, Ryukatei Tanekazu, used the stories of street storytellers: in the texts of some sheets he quoted or retold fragments of letters from "devoted vassals." Another thing is no less probable: the texts of Tanekazu, as well as the kodansha, are pure fiction; the coincidences with the originals are logical: based on the traditional character of the forty-seven vassals, it was easy to imagine what exactly they could write in their farewell messages.

So, the time for the attack on Cyrus's mansion was set. Dividing into two groups, the vassals moved to the main and rear gates of the mansion. Tradition says that they were dressed in the uniform of firemen with a characteristic "mountain pattern" - yamamichi. There are doubts as to whether this was actually the case, but this is not important. Everywhere - both in the theater and in ukiyoe prints - Ako's vassals were depicted in just such a costume. The reason for this, in all likelihood, is as follows.

After the successfully completed preparations for the assault, only one obstacle remained: on the night of the attack, it was necessary to get to Cyrus's house without attracting attention to himself. It was not easy: a crowd of soldiers in full combat gear on the streets of the capital is an almost impossible phenomenon. In fact, in the regulated life of Edo, a gathering of armed people on the street could be found only in one case - at the entrance of a procession of a large feudal lord heading from his possessions to the capital. However, these soldiers looked different and had different weapons - not intended for an assault.

But a way out was found. Hooks, ladders made of chains, ropes needed by the ronins to storm the castle were attributes of firefighters. The ronins decided to disguise themselves as them: at the beginning of the 18th century, only firefighters could move around Edo with full armor - in chain mail, helmets, and so on.

Metropolitan firefighters occupied a special position. They were saviors, universal favorites, objects of worship and admiration, served as a kind of standard of courage and heroism for the townspeople. Fire brigades were recruited from representatives of the military class, and only these samurai were truly "active" warriors: only they were in constant combat readiness during the years of peaceful, calm rule of the Tokugawa house. Firefighters became the personification of heroism during the period of quiet life. Moreover, the Japanese city, which consisted entirely of light wooden buildings, did not have an enemy more terrible than fire. Firefighters were allowed to carry weapons - not only swords, but also other devices necessary for a fire (by the way, suitable for an assault). Therefore, it is their form that is believed to have been chosen by the former vassals of Ako, so as not to attract attention to themselves. It was in it that they were depicted in ukiyoe engraving at different times and by different artists.

At the signal, the storming of the mansion began simultaneously from both sides. It was four in the morning. Almost everyone in the house was asleep. The resistance of the guards was suppressed relatively quickly. The attackers scattered about the rooms in search of Kir Yoshinaka. He was nowhere to be found. Finally, he was discovered in a coal pantry. His face was thickly covered with coal dust, and it was possible to identify him by the scars left by the blows of Asano Naganori's sword. They cut off his head with the same sword. Revenge was thus carried out, the only goal was achieved. The attack was thoroughly and comprehensively prepared: there were no casualties among the attackers, only five were wounded, and from Cyrus's side sixteen people were killed and twenty were wounded. The behavior of each of the ronin is detailed in the texts of Ryukatei Tanekazu.

The noise in Cyrus's mansion was heard by the neighbors. Several soldiers came to the roof of a nearby house and began to find out the cause of the noise. Onodera Junai and Kataoka Gengoemon explained everything frankly. Neighbors did not interfere - many in Edo sympathized with Ako's former vassals. As the conspirators left the mansion, Kataoka loudly thanked the neighbors for their tacit support. The battle lasted for about two hours.

However, they had to leave immediately: any minute the main forces of the Uesugi clan (to which Kira belonged) could appear. The Ronin gathered at the Ekoin temple - about half a kilometer from Cyrus's mansion - made a short stop there and moved on. At the same time, Oishi dispatched two samurai - Yoshida Kanesuke and Tomonomori Masayori, so that they themselves reported the incident to the chief police officer of the capital named Sengoku. The rest crossed the Ryogoku-bashi Bridge (according to the fictionalized version of the story) and eventually reached the Sengakuji Monastery in the Takanawa area, where the tomb of Asano Naganori was located. At about ten o'clock in the morning, having completed a prayer at the grave of their master, they hoisted Cyrus's severed head in front of her. Then they informed the abbot of the monastery about their desire to perform seppuku in Sengakuji, near Asano's grave. The abbot notified the higher authorities about this. The Rhonins were taken into custody and their case was brought to the attention of the government.

If the discussion of the incident in the "Pine Corridor" did not take much time - the decision was made on the same day - now, in the case of the ronin, the government was in no hurry. The proceedings lasted almost a month and a half. The assessment of the actions of the ronin both in society and even in the government was far from unambiguous.

Various points of view have been expressed regarding the revenge of the "loyal vassals".

Public opinion was entirely on their side. It was at this time that it became customary to call them gisi - "loyal vassals". They had supporters both in the government and among eminent scientists and statesmen. In particular, the Ronin were supported by the Minister of Education (daigaku-no ami) Hayashi Nobutsu (1644-1732). The events also made a strong impression on the outstanding scientist of that time Muro Kyuso (1658-1736), whose work "Ako gijin roku" ("Notes on the devoted people from Ako") was a panegyric addressed to the gishi. They were equally highly appreciated by representatives of various schools of Confucianism: Ito Togai (1670-1736), Miyake Kanran (1674-1718) and Asama Keisai (1652-1711). Outside supporters of the forty-seven ronin demanded their amnesty.

But there was also a diametrically opposite view of the problem, it was based on the letter of the law. The fact is that the ronins, while preparing the assassination attempt, created something like a conspiratorial party, and this, according to Tokugawa laws, was strictly prohibited and punishable by death. So, it was about criminals, and Ako's vassals did not deserve any leniency. This position was especially stubbornly defended by the outstanding statesman, Confucian and historian Ogyu Soray (1666-1728) in his "Treatise on Forty-Six Samurai from Ako" ("Ako Yonjurokushi ron") and in "Soraya's Notes on False Laws" ("Soray Girishho ").

Other Confucian scholars followed him: Sato Naokata (1650-1719) and Dazai Shundai (1680-1747). Both of these scientists independently (they lived in different cities) came to the same conclusion, condemning the behavior of the ronin after the rebellion. In their opinion, if Ako's vassals committed suicide immediately after the assault, it would be worthy. But for more than a month to humbly wait for the government's decision, as they did, hoping that under the influence of public opinion they would be able to save their lives - shameful, such behavior is unworthy of a samurai.

The vassals were also reproached for another. For example, in the fact that they did not carry out an act of revenge immediately after the death of Asano. Almost two years had been spent preparing a plan for revenge, they said, and during this time the aged Yoshinaka could have died a natural death, and revenge, thus, could not take place.

The range of opinions was wide. In all likelihood, the government listened to all voices to one degree or another. As a result, on the 4th day of the 2nd month of the 16th year, Genroku (1703), the bakufu made a decision: all ronin led by Oishi Kuranosuke were ordered to perform seppuku. The decision was made in a compromise - seppuku was not the usual punishment for such an offense. After all, the ronin committed a grave crime: an armed mutiny with a preliminary conspiracy. People of their rank (rather low) for this usually expected execution through beheading. To the more honorable - seppuku - in such cases, only daimyo - sovereign feudal lords were sentenced. However, both public opinion and the popularity of the ronin played a role here, both among the common people and in the government. It was also taken into account that the unrest caused by the attack of Ako's vassals was based on loyalty to the master, the idea of ​​a vassalage of the weight - the cornerstone of Confucianism, and this ethical doctrine was the state ideology of Japan during the Tokugawa period. That is why the beheading was replaced by seppuku - an honorable death for a samurai.

This decision was brought to the attention of the "loyal vassals" on the 4th day of the 2nd month. The next day the seppuku was done.

However, forty-seven vassals took part in the assault, and only forty-six committed suicide: one of them - Terazaka Kitiemon - disappeared immediately after the assault on Kira's mansion, and his trace was lost. According to one version, Oishi sent him to Hiroshima, to Asano Daigaku Nagahiro - the younger brother of their master Naganori. Perhaps Oishi, by doing so, hoped to save the life of at least one witness - a direct participant in the events. Terazaka was an ashigaru - an infantryman, a low-ranking samurai. The bakufu was of little interest to the bakufu, so he was not, in fact, sought after. As an eyewitness to the events of Terazaka, he fulfilled his mission: he wrote two compositions about it: "Terazaka Kichiemon hikki" ("Notes of Terazaka Kichiemon") and "Terazaka Nobuyuki shiki" ("Personal notes of Terazaka Nobuyuki"). Both works were saved and edited by his grandson. Terazaka himself lived to be 83 years old and died in 1747 - a year before the first performance of "Kanadehon Tusingura" appeared.

Apparently, Oishi foresaw the need for such evidence. Indeed, soon the real events of the revenge of the "loyal vassals" were overgrown with fictitious details, sometimes even non-existent characters were added, and the topography of the scene was distorted. Oral tales of the kodan and plays led to the belief that all forty-six vassals committed suicide at Sengakuji Monastery. In reality, it happened in four mansions that belonged to daimyo Hosokawa, Matsudaira, Mori and Mizuno. Later, their remains were buried in the cemetery of Sengakuji Monastery, next to the grave of their master.

Among the examples of deviation from historical reality can be called the scene of the return of the ronin after the assault. In the theater and in ukiyoe engraving, a tradition has developed to depict "devoted vassals" at the moment of their spectacular crossing over the Sumidagawa River on the Ryogoku-basi Bridge. In fact, the route of the ronin was different: after walking along the outskirts of the Kira mansion, they crossed the Sumidagawa River along the Eitan-bashi bridge, then passed the former mansion of their lord Asano Naganori, which was located in the Tepposu area of ​​the Tsukiji district, and then went to the Shimbashi bridge. passing the Kobikichyo and Shiodome quarters (currently the Kabuki-za theater is located there). After that, they ended up in the Shiba area - approximately on the site of the modern Tokyo TV tower, and then reached the Sengakuji monastery. The ronin costume is also a fiction - black, with a yamamichi pattern. According to Japanese scientists, the avengers did not have uniforms: each was dressed simply in comfortable clothes that did not restrict movement.

Such embellishments of reality were most likely caused by the popularity of the theme of "loyal vassals" in the theater. However, no less attention was paid to the plot and tales-kodan, in particular, the collection of tales "Gishimeimeiden" ("Biographies of loyal vassals"), which not only described the actual history of the event, but also gave biographical, psychological and other characteristics of each of the forty-seven ronin ... Much attention was paid to the realities: weapons, clothing, etc. For the first time, the kodan included "outsiders" who were not among the avengers, characters: servants, merchants, etc. to themselves - as to the standard of heroism and resilience. It was in this capacity that the "loyal vassals" entered the history of Japan.