Culture | December 11, 2008 | 1 comment

Japan Remembers its 47 Samurai Heroes - the 47 Ronin

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SamuraiDave
The story of the 47 Ronin is one of Japan's most favorite stories which best illustrates the Japanese virtue of loyalty.

The lord of the 47 Ronin was forced to commit suicide for attacking a corrupt government official who had insulted him constantly. His lands were forfeit and his samurai retainers became ronin - unemployed samurai without a master. A group of them plotted revenge and successfully carried out their plans. They were heralded as paragons of samurai virtue. They too were forced to commit suicide but this was preferable to common execution and so they kept their honor intact.

Due to the story's impact on Japanese life and culture, some scholars say "...to know the story of the 47 Ronin is to know Japan."
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