Tokyo
Minato

Jul 21, 2014 - 1 min read

Tokyo Tale of Loyalty & Courage

Senkakuji and the famous samurai story of the 47 Ronin

By Louise Archer

Community writer

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The graveyard of the Ako Gishi. Buried here after their seppuku on February 4th, 1703.

The graveyard of the Ako Gishi. Buried here after their seppuku on February 4th, 1703.

Hondo (Main hall of the temple)

Hondo (Main hall of the temple)

Gravestones at Senkakuji Temple

Gravestones at Senkakuji Temple

The graveyard of the Ako Gishi. Buried here after their seppuku on February 4th, 1703

The graveyard of the Ako Gishi. Buried here after their seppuku on February 4th, 1703

People pay their respect to the Akoroshi by burning incense sticks in the graveyard

People pay their respect to the Akoroshi by burning incense sticks in the graveyard

Senko or incense sticks burning in the graveyard

Senko or incense sticks burning in the graveyard

The moss covered stone near the Plum tree in the temple grounds

The moss covered stone near the Plum tree in the temple grounds

The graveyard of the Ako Gishi. Buried here after their seppuku on February 4th, 1703.

Hondo (Main hall of the temple)

Gravestones at Senkakuji Temple

The graveyard of the Ako Gishi. Buried here after their seppuku on February 4th, 1703

People pay their respect to the Akoroshi by burning incense sticks in the graveyard

Senko or incense sticks burning in the graveyard

The moss covered stone near the Plum tree in the temple grounds

Senkakuji is a small Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple in the Minato-ku district in Tokyo. It is famous for the graves of the 47 Ronin, one of Japan's most famous tales and definately the most famous story of the Samurai code of “Bushido” – courage, loyalty and honor.

The story began in March 1701 with the death of Lord Asano and culminated in the avenging of his death in December 1702 by his then masterless Samurai, called Ronin. The 47 Ronin story is the subject of many plays and movies including the recent one with Keanu Reeves.

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Find out more about Sengakuji Temple.

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Louise Archer

By Louise Archer

Community writer

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Laura Weaver

Laura Weaver 9 years ago

How interesting, would be good to know more of the story..

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