47 Ronin: Japan’s greatest heroes lie in Tokyo
The 47 Ronin is one of Japan’s most famous stories. These masterless samurai etched their story into history. They created a tale of honor and sacrifice in the Edo era. Here’s your guide to capturing the solemn and storied past of one of Tokyo’s most revered sites. Let’s visit Sengakuji Temple, their resting place.
It’s hard to believe the events of this story happened over 300 years ago. Movies, books, TV dramas, and Kabuki plays have told it countless times. It’s too long to tell here. Read this Wikipedia article to learn more. It’s a good starting place.
Sengakuji Temple is famous for its cemetery. Countless visitors come to it each year. The Ronin who exacted revenge on Yoshinaka Kira lay there. Their leader, Yoshio Ooishi, and his son Chikara, who took part in the raid, are there too.
To enter the temple grounds, you pass through two gates. They are of that classic Japanese architectural style, great for photos. You can also buy souvenirs at the shops there.
The temple’s main hall is in a courtyard past the second gate. If you need a break, grab a bench. Workers from nearby companies often eat lunch there.
A short path takes you to the cemetery. It is beautiful in spring with its plum and cherry blossom trees. For Japanese history lovers, things don’t get better than this.
Museums are on either side of the path. The more modern one displays implements, weapons, armor, etc., used during the raid. You can also see letters and scrolls connected with the story. The other building houses wooden statues of the attackers. Both are worth visiting.
The Ronin’s cemetery, on the left side of the complex, is small. I must reiterate: it is small! And it is an austere place. There is nothing colorful or unnecessary about it. It is square-shaped, with the graves arranged along the sides and in the middle.
Asano’s grave is outside the square. Near him are the graves of some family members, including his wife and grandmother. Of course, Ooishi lies close to his master.
Japan hasn’t forgotten its samurai history. The Gishisai festival takes place there every December 14. Re-enactors dressed in 47 Ronin costumes parade through the city to the cemetery. They relive the last march.
Drop by the curator’s office at the cemetery’s entrance. You can buy incense to offer at the graves and postcards to take home.
Is the 47 Ronin story true?
It is a historical story. But details are unknown. Remember that:
- No one who wrote about it witnessed the events.
- Due to Shogunate policies, the story was censored.
Who were the good guys, and who were the bad? That is something we’ll probably never know. For extra reading, read this article from KCP International Japanese Language School. It’s interesting for students of Japanese history. Approach it with an open mind.
Where is Sengakuji Temple?
Address: 2 Chome-11-1 Takanawa, Minato City, Tokyo
Here it is on a map:
Closest train and subway stations:
- Sengakuji (Toei Asakusa and Keikyu Main Lines)
- Takanawa Gateway (Keihin-Tohoku and Yamanote Lines)
Opening hours
7 AM to 5 AM.
Is the temple large?
No, it’s not. It’s tiny compared to Sensoji and Meiji Shrine.
Is photography allowed at Sengakuji?
Yes, it is. No one will stop you or ask questions. It’s the museums where cameras aren’t allowed.
47 Ronin FAQ
- Was there a half-breed in the 47 Ronin? No there wasn’t.
- Is the 47 Ronin a true story? Yes, it is. But many of the facts aren’t exactly known.
- What is the meaning of 47 Ronin? Ronin means masterless samurai. So it means 47 masterless samurai.
- What happened at the end of the story? The government forced the men to commit seppuku (ritual suicide).
Was Yoshinaka Kira a bad guy? So the story goes, but little historical evidence supports this. His reputation is good on Tokyo’s east side where he lived, even today.
When was the 47 Ronin raid? 31 January, 1703.
Conclusion
Sengakuji Temple and its cemetery are great for those interested in Japanese history. You can get some great shots of the graves of the people directly involved in this samurai story. Leave questions and comments below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has been photographing Tokyo since 2011. He loves his Canon EOS R5.
Here are more temple articles:
External related websites:
- Sengakuji Temple (official website)
2 thoughts on “47 Ronin: Japan’s greatest heroes lie in Tokyo”
I am an artist living in Hawaii. I am currently doing a series of the 47 ronin. Is there a place where I can get a complete list of all names of the 47? Thank you
Hi Sharon, you can find their names on Wiki here —> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forty-seven_r%C5%8Dnin#Members.