SENGAKU-JI
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This temple founded by Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1612 is best known for the tomb of the 47 rōnins, the faithful samurai who continue to populate the Japanese imagination. A museum is dedicated to them in the temple grounds. In March 1701, the lord (daimyō) Asano of Akō wounded the lord Kira Hozukenosuke in the enclosure of Edo Castle. Taking out a blade in the palace of shōgun was a serious and unforgivable offence, and the culprit was condemned to ritual suicide, seppuku. He lost his lands and possessions. The 300 samurai in his pay became rōnin or floating men, which means mercenaries. One of them, Kuranosuke Oishi, decided to avenge his master and gathered 46 other samurai. He asked them to be patient and prepare a plan of revenge for 2 years. They met on December 14, 1702, attacked the villa of daimyō Kira and beheaded him. After placing the victim's head on their master's grave, they were condemned to seppuku on their master's grave on February 4, 1703, in the Sengaku-Ji garden. Only one escaped, Kichiemon Terasaka, who was sent to the lands of daimyō to Akō, to inform the faithful of the success of their revenge. When he returned, the shōgun pardoned him. Finally, another samurai from Akō, regretting not having been part of the revenge, ritually committed suicide at Asano's grave. December 14 is still an important date and every year, pilgrims come to visit the tombs of the 47 rōnins present in the temple.
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