Sengakuji Temple Resting Place of the 47 Ronin
Sengakuji Temple takes you back to Japan’s Edo era for a captivating tale of honor and sacrifice. Beneath its cherry blossoms and quiet stones lie the graves of the 47 Ronin. They were masterless samurai who etched their story into history. Here’s your guide to capturing the solemn and storied past of one of Tokyo’s most revered sites.
It’s hard to believe the events of this story happened more than 300 years ago. Movies, books, TV dramas, and Kabuki plays have told it many times. I doubt a single person in Japan today hasn’t heard of it. If you haven’t, read about it on Wikipedia. That’s a good starting place.
Sengakuji Temple is a prestigious Buddhist institution. But most people come to see the cemetery. That’s where the men who exacted revenge on Yoshinaka Kira for the daimyo Naganori Asano are. Their leader Yoshio Ooishi, and his son Chikara, who participated in the raid, are there too.
To enter the temple grounds, you’ll pass through two gates. At the first one are some souvenir shops. Here it is nothing special. It is a small local place.
Pass the second gate is a courtyard with the temple’s main hall. Grab one of the benches if you need a rest. Workers from nearby companies often eat lunch there. It only gets noisy during festivals.
To enter the cemetery, you walk a short path. It is beautiful in spring with its plum and cherry blossom trees. For such a historical place, things don’t get better than this.
On either side of the path are museums. The more modern one displays implements, weapons, armor, etc., used during the raid. You can also see letters and scrolls connected with the story. In the other building are wooden statues of the men who participated in the attack. Both are worth visiting.
The cemetery of the ronin (masterless samurai), found on the left side of the complex, is small. I need to stress small because it is! And it is an austere place. There is nothing colorful or unnecessary about it. It is square-shaped, with the 47 Ronin’s 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.
Sengakuji Temple is incredible. The Ronin who participated in the fateful raid are there. Their story is still retold today. Every December 14, there is the Gishisai Festival. Reenactors dressed in the costumes of the 47 Ronin parade through the city to the temple. They relive that final march. Japan hasn’t forgotten.
A curator’s office is the cemetery entrance. Buy incense there if you want to make an offering to the men. Postcards are also available.
Is the 47 Ronin story true?
Yes, it is a historical story. But some details are unknown. We have to remember:
- No one who wrote about it witnessed the events.
- Due to Shogunate policies, the story was censored.
That hasn’t mattered. Everything has become accepted as the truth.
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 Temple?
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 lives in Tokyo's Suginami Ward with his wife and dog. He loves photography and okonomiyaki.
You might enjoy these other shrine and temple articles:
External related websites:
- Sengakuji Temple (official website)
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2 thoughts on “Sengakuji Temple Resting Place of the 47 Ronin”
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.