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Summary: central to understanding Japan
Review: John Allyn here presents for English language audiences one of the most oft-told episodes in Japanese history. In March 1701, Lord Asano of Ako, having been summoned before the Shogun in Edo (modern Tokyo), was provoked into attacking a corrupt official, Kira, the Shogun's Master of Ceremonies. Asano was forced to commit seppuku, ritual suicide, and his lands were forfeit. His death left his samurai masterless, or ronin , but when they learned that Kira had survived his wounds they determined to avenge Asano, following the Confucian edict that : [N]o man may live under the same sky with the murderer of his lord. After biding their time until Kira was in an exposed position--no longer protected by the Shogun's forces--forty seven of Asano's former samurai attacked his castle (December 14, 1702) and killed him, despite the almost certain death their actions were likely to bring : [S]ome people live all their lives without knowing which path is right. They're buffeted by this wind or that and never really know where they're going. That's largely the fate of the commoners--those who have no choice over their destiny. For those of us born as samurai, life is something else. We know the path of duty and we follow it without question. Their action proved so popular that the Shogun allowed the forty seven to commit seppuku rather than be executed as criminals. Their gravesite, at Sengaku-ji Temple, remains a national shrine; the story is a staple of Japanese theater under the title Chushingura; and there are several film versions, including one which was used as WWII propaganda by the government. In Allyn's capable retelling, the story is brisk and thrilling, with a minimum of extraneous philosophizing or psychoanalyzing. The action, though terrible, takes on a logic of its own, as the ronin seek to redeem their master and preserve their own obligations of honor, loyalty, and duty. The tale and its continuing resonance reveals much that is admirable, but also unfortunate, about the Japanese character. You can't help but admire the devotion with which they adhere to their moral code, but at the same time there is something chilling about the automatic, unthinking nature of their actions and the degree to which they are influenced by external factors, like how others will judge them, rather than by internal ethical considerations. Most disturbing though is the question of whether this loyalty is a one way street, or whether the masters would be similarly willing to sacrifice themselves for their underlings, and whether each samurai would so sacrifice himself for a mere comrade. Obedience, particularly blind obedience, be it to a man or to a code of conduct, is a very dangerous trait for any culture to glorify, both because it absolves the obedient of moral responsibility and because it stifles innovative thought. The same qualities which seem so laudable here and which have made Japan a homogenous, orderly, productive, and nonlitigious society, have also made it susceptible to authoritarian government, overt and covert racism, industrial cronyism, economic stagnation, and have contributed to a culture that is simply not very creative and tends to be too inflexible for its own good. As a pure novel of adventure, the book is terrific and the insight the story provides into the Japanese character is invaluable. Both the book and two movie versions of the story, 47 Ronin and Chushingura, are well worth tracking down. GRADE : A-
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Summary: Revenge and Redemtion
Review: Revenge and Redemption In a world where change was taking place so rapidly, the 47 ronin of Ako forced themselves to continue the tradition of honor and social control that feudal Japan had once been ruled by. Japan was a place that was in a constant state of flux and change in the beginning of the 18th century. While the Shogun, Tsunayoshi, attempted to further his central control in the country social changes began to take place. The makeup of the social classes was being redefined. A system that was once enforced by the samurai was now increasingly being centralized. Asano and his force of samurai were the exception to this rule of change. For them the most important aspect of their history was duty, honor, and sacrifice. The 47 Ronin Story is a book about honor, revenge and redemption. From the beginning of the story, the concept of honor and redemption is apparent. Lord Asano of Ako is portrayed as an honorable man who is trying to live the laws set forth by the Shogun Tsunayoshi. In obedience to his leader, Asano is readying himself for the ceremonies to take place in the palace of the Shogun. At the same time, an element of tradition and redemption of traditional ways takes place in his preparation. In order for Asano to understand the etiquette for the occasion, he must learn from the Shogun's master of ceremonies, Kira. Kira requires a bribe for his services and Asano refuses to pay the bribe because of his traditional values. In Asano's attempt to protect and redeem himself from the bribery and corruption, he ends up committing a grievous act wherein he injures Kira and seals his fate. Although Asano was allowed to commit seppuku it was, in a way, a disgrace to the honor and tradition of traditional Japanese values. Immediately after the death of the Lord of Ako, the samurai serving Asano, now ronin or masterless samurai, become fixed on revenge and redemption of their good names, and the name of their master, Lord Asano. No longer with a master, and their lands taken over, the ronin of Ako disperse with the knowledge that some day they will hopefully return and avenge the death of their lord, and regain their titles as samurai. With Kira alive the ronin felt they could not redeem themselves without the death of their lord's effectual killer. In the first days after their master's death, almost all of the ronin vowed to someday get revenge. As time passed, however, only the most dedicated ronin were seen to be the ones to take an interest in regaining what was previously theirs. In the attempt to organize their forces, the ronin of Ako would eventually have to do exactly the opposite of what they were planning to do in order to attain revenge, and redeem themselves. The ronin had to totally degrade themselves. The ronin had to let others around them know that they were truly masterless samurai who had lost all of their will to become honorable men through revenge on Kira. One man opened up an archery school, teaching the arts of the samurai to the common people. This was a despicable and dishonorable action to take. Even Oishi, the retainer of the Ako forces had to convince the people around him that he was no longer desirous to seek revenge, and redeem his good name. In his attempt to soil his reputation he divorced his wife, began drinking heavily, spent his time in geisha houses, attended the Kabuki theater, and even started a fight in the theater allowing himself to lose showing his apparent bad sowrdsmanship. While trying to soil his reputation further by living with a mistress from one of the geisha houses, and drinking heavily, some of the ronin under his command began to question his ability in leadership. Fortunately the charade put on by the ronin of Ako was seen by outsiders as a loss in honor and reputation. Spies that once watched the ronin retreated, and the ronin were finally able to plan their final attack on their hated enemy. In the final attack, the men of Ako were a small but committed group of 47 ronin, poised and ready for a surprise attack. Like a tiger stalking its prey, the men were able to attack the residence of the now retired Kira ending the conflict. By this action not only did the men of Ako get revenge on the person who in effect killed their master, but they were able to redeem their names, and the name of the master Lord Asano. Although all 47 ronin were sentenced to death, they were allowed to die in the honorable ceremony of seppuku, or ritual disembowelment. As the men acted together in their common cause they became united in their struggle that eventually lead to their deaths. In their deaths they found peace and comfort in exacting revenge, and redemption and honor in their actions.
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Summary: A Good Retelling of a Great Story
Review: The 47 Ronin is one of the most interesting Japanese Samurai stories. The story of what 47 Samurai will do to avenge the unjust death of the Daimyo is incredible. Whether you are into Japanese culture or a teacher, or anyone interested a just a good story about morals, duty, revenge, and patience should read this story. This version, the only English version I know of, is pretty good. David Morrell in the opening Chapter of the 5 Profession does a nice job of telling the story in just a few pages. Once you know the outcome of the 47 Ronin story, you will never forget it.
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Summary: 47 Ronin
Review: The lessons of the story are presented as one might expect of a classic, and the story is fleshed out to a medium length novel. However, the writing quality is not the best, though there is a little characterization. It really doesn't "come alive", but it covers the ground. If you just want to know the tale, and can't rent the video/dvd, read the book for this purpose.
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Summary: Good story, very poor edition
Review: The original 47 ronin story is very good and the book is in general quite loyal for original story (as much as one can decide which is the original story, there are naturally several versios, which differ in minor details). So, the story is good and the this edition is quite loyal for it. What is the problem? Well, in my humble opinion one should not ADD much into a story when creating an edition of old legend. John Allyn is clearly a product of western culture and this is unfortunately very clear from the way he tells the story. I recommend this only for those who wish to read a Japanese story with very western tone.
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Summary: Japan's National Tale of Honor and Revenge
Review: The story of the 47 ronin is THE national story of Japan and the key to understanding Nihon Kokoro, the japanese mind. Just as the United States has the legend of the Alamo, Japan has the story of the 47 Ronin. The popularity of the story comes from the fact that the heroes had become an ideal. They embody all that a Nihonjin, a Japanese person strives to be. It also illustrates the cultural chasm between the asian cultures and western cultures regarding duty, honor and death (the japanese consider seppuku a very honorable way to die). The heroic warriors were offered a chance to live, but in a solemn and dramatic ceremony, each man, in turn, knelt down and ran his thumb over the blade of a razor sharp Katana (sword blade)in order to draw blood. One by one, they then impressed their thumbprint on a document swearing loyalty to the end to Asano, Lord of Ako. More than three hundred fifty men in all executed the blood oath, and forty-seven would avenge him. The Ronin were buried next to their Lord and his wife on the grounds of a buddhist temple, a site of ritual pilgramige to this day. A must read for anyone studying martial arts, this book is the key to understanding the spirit and the drive of the Japanese people.
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Summary: My favorite Book!!!
Review: This is a perfect example of bravery, honor, and patience. A must read!!
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Summary: good version of one of Japan's most popular stories
Review: This is a very entertaining book. It keeps the reader involved and never has a dull moment. I wish Mr. Allyn hadn't exaggerated so much in a couple of areas, but the translation is still true to the heart. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who likes samurai movies/books or anyone who wants to see what samurai and bushido are really about. As a Japanese citizen and modern day kendoist (Kendo: martial art of Japanese swordfighting) I find this story, regardless of the version, to be very stimulating, inspiring, and thought provoking.
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Summary: Excellent read...Better than "the Last samurai" story
Review: This story is an excellent one with a great ending. The author in my view is very detailed in interpreting the facts and building a detailed story around those facts. The dialog he added made it much better than simply a historical account of the events. So in this book you get a great historical fiction text of a great true story with the fictional details built in around the actual facts that transpired in feudal Japan. The story itself is great about a group of Samurai who lose everything (their Lord Asano, their jobs, their lands) and seek vengeance against the man who cost them everything through that mans corruption. The 47 Ronin lived honorably, fought honorbaly, and in the end died honorably. Well done Mr. Allyn!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read...Better than "the Last samurai" story
Review: This story is an excellent one with a great ending. The author in my view is very detailed in interpreting the facts and building a detailed story around those facts. The dialog he added made it much better than simply a historical account of the events. So in this book you get a great historical fiction text of a great true story with the fictional details built in around the actual facts that transpired in feudal Japan. The story itself is great about a group of Samurai who lose everything (their Lord Asano, their jobs, their lands) and seek vengeance against the man who cost them everything through that mans corruption. The 47 Ronin lived honorably, fought honorbaly, and in the end died honorably. Well done Mr. Allyn!!!!
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