Was the 47 Ronin a true story?

The story of the 47 Ronin as it is known today is one of the many versions of the play Chushingura, which was originally a work of fiction set in the 14th century but contains elements derived from the real-life Ako Incident (1701-3).

Who are the main characters of the Chushingura?

In the original version of the Chushingura, Ko no Moronao pursues the wife of En'ya Hangan. The shogun orders Hangan, and Hangan's chief retainer, Yuranosuke, spends many months secretly plotting with his fellow warriors to get revenge on Moronao. Later versions feature characters from the Ako Incident, such as Asano, Kira, and Oishi Yoshio.

Chushingura

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Definition

Kanadehon Chushingura (A Treasury of Loyalty of Loyal Retainers or The Story of the Forty-Seven Samurai) is the most popular play in the history of Japanese theatre, first performed in 1748. It is a work of fiction, but the details of the story are often confused with those of a real event, the Ako Incident (1701-3), on which it is commonly thought to be based.

More about: Chushingura

Timeline

1701
The Ako Incident.
1748
The play Chushingura is first perfomed in Japan.