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 within the temple walls. In March 1701, lord(daimyō) Asano of Akō wounded lord Kira Hozukenosuke in the grounds of Edo Castle. Drawing a blade in the shōgun's palace was a grave and unforgivable offense, 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, i.e. 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 vengeance for 2 years. They gathered on December 14, 1702, attacked the villa of the daimyō Kira and decapitated him. After placing the victim's head on their master's tomb, they were condemned to perform seppuku on their master's tomb on February 4, 1703, in the garden of the Sengaku-Ji. Only one escaped, Kichiemon Terasaka, who was sent to the daimyō's land in 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 remains an important date, and every year pilgrims come to pay their respects and put flowers on the tombs of the 47 rōnins present in the temple.
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