A Walk around Sengakuji (Part 1) / 泉岳寺の散歩 (パート１）

You can consider the previous post as an intermission.  As I mentioned before, my next neighborhood walk was to a specific temple.  That would be Sengakuji.  What's so special about this place?  Any Japanese can probably tell you the story of Chushingura.  And with the upcoming release of the latest Keanu Reeves movie, this temple may see an increase in the flow of tourists.  Americans may not be familiar with Chushingura but they may be familiar with the story of the 47 Ronin which is also the title of the new Keanu Reeves film.  Yes, this temple is the final resting place of those 47 Ronin.  And in case you are not familiar with the story, it is about a group of samurai who avenged the death of their Master.  I will provide a more complete summary later.

前のポストはCMと思えば良い。以前に書かれたこと覚えてますか？ 僕が次の近所散歩があるお寺に行く予定でした。それは港区にある泉岳寺。なにが有名と言えば、日本人だったら誰でも知ってる忠臣蔵の話がヒント。来年公開予定のハリウッド映画、キアヌ・りーブス主演「４７ Ronin」も大きなヒント。映画公開後は必ずこのお寺の観光客が増えるでしょう。そう、このお寺は浅野長矩墓および赤穂義士墓がある場所です。

A summary of the "Ako Incident" as provided by the Sengakuji Website:

「Perhaps the most famous story of avenge in Japanesehistory is the Ako Incident which took place between 1701-1703.　Asano Takuminokami, Feudal Lord of Ako, wasappointed by the shogunate to entertain the imperialenvoys visiting Edo from Kyoto. He was to seek directions from his official advisor, Kira Kozukenosuke.But Kira disliked Asano and treated him with maliceand disgraced his honor as a samurai.



　Unable to tolerate Kira's insult anymore, Asano drew his sword on him in the Edo Castle at what is known as "The Pine Gallery (Corridor) Incident". Asano managed to cut Kira on his forehead and shoulder but failed to kill him.


　It was strictly forbidden to draw one's sword within the Edo castle at that time and Asano was immediately arrested. There was also a law termed "equal punishment for quarrels" which punished both samurais involved in a fight so both Asano and Kira were expected to be punished. However, while Kira received no punishment, Asano was sentenced to death by seppuku (hara-kiri) in a garden of another lord's residence on the very same day without proper investigation. Seppuku outside in a garden was for a felon and inappropriate for someone of Asano's standing. Further, the Asano estate was confiscated and his family line was dethroned from the lordship.


　The loyal retainers of Lord of Ako, better known as Ako Gishi, were indignant of this judgment and pleaded for an amendment of the order and the reinstatement of the Asano house. But their requests were dismissed.


　Almost two years after the fateful incident, 47 samurais of Ako assembled under the former chief retainer, Oishi Kuranosuke, to avenge their lord's death and the injustice imposed by the shogunate. On December 14th, 1702, they attacked and killed Kira at his residence. They then marched to Sengakuji to present Kira's head to Asano's grave and reported their accomplishment to their late lord.


　The Gishi turned themselves in to the shogunate right away and were sentenced to seppuku the following year on February 4th.
　The avenge of the Ako Gishi has been made into various plays and is now commonly called "Chu-shin-gura"(The Story of the Loyal Retainers). It is a popular tale and one that still touches the Japanese heart even after 300 years. The chivalry of the loyal retainers and the themes of "Gi"(justice;義) and "Chu" (loyalty;忠) are still highly esteemed by the Japanese.」


And for my Japanese readers:

Entrance to Sengakuji Temple / 泉岳寺の入り口の中門

Sengakuji San Mon / 泉岳寺山門

 
Kuranosuke Oishi, Leader of the Ako Warriors / 大石内蔵助、赤穂義士のリーダー
 
 

Sengakuji Hondo / 泉岳寺 本堂

Gate leading to the graves of Naganori Asano and the 47 Ronin

浅野長矩墓および赤穂義士墓の入り口

Grave of Naganori Asano / 浅野長矩墓

Naganori Kou Fujin's grave / 長矩公夫人の墓



Graves of the 47 Ronin / 赤穂義士墓 （４７人の浪人）

Another view of Naganori Asano's Grave / 浅野長矩墓

There is still more to see here at Sengakuji Temple.

泉岳寺の見所はまだまだあります。


To be continued...

つづく。。。