Retellings of “Chushingura” the familiar of classic tale of revenge that ranks among the most familiar of all stories in Japan, still popular today

The raid by the 47 “ronin” is enacted every year in Ako, Hyogo Prefecture, the home of Asano Takuminokami, and other locations across the nation. (Yoshiaki Arai)

A woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyasu (1794-1832) depicting the raid by the 47 “ronin.” (Satoshi Akahane)

Source: “Chushingura” may be 97% fiction, but it ranks highly for aesthetic sensitivity (Asahi, Dec 13, 2011)

It’s that time of year again for “Chushingura,” a fictionalized telling of a classic tale of revenge that ranks among the most familiar of all stories in Japan. Even though we know the story from start to finish, it has managed to endure and fascinate for more than 300 years.

To find out the historical basis and popular appeal of Chushingura, read this Introduction to Chushingura as well as “Chushingura: Loyalty that never goes out of style“. Read more of the article at AJW.

Other good resources include: Chushingura and the Samurai Tradition; Chushingura: The Treasury of Loyal Retainers (book in print) by Izumo Takeda et al.

A particular recommended resource lesson guide for studying Chushingura is the EDsitement lesson, “Hamlet meets Chushingura: Traditions of the Revenge Tragedy”

The text of Kanadehon Chushingura by Takeda Izumo, Miyoshi Shoraku, and Namiki Senryu may be read online here.

You may take tours of Japanese woodblock and other art on Chushingura or watch online the trailer (in Japanese only) for Kanadehon Chushingura by the Japan Arts Council here.