Sengakuji, the Temple of Naganori Asano and the 47 ‘Ronin’
One of the most famous samurai stories came to an end in this Buddhist shrine which proudly maintains this past heritage.

© Oishi Kuranosuke
Constructed during the Edo period (1603-1868) in 1612 then rebuilt thirty years later following a fire, Sengakuji Temple is located close to Shinagawa station in Tokyo, in the Minato-ku district.
This religious site is the resting place for some of Japan’s best-known samurai: daimyo (governor) Naganori Asano from the Ako region (now Hyogo prefecture) and his 47 soldiers.
A sense of honour and loyalty
A tragic chain of events led to the death of these men-at-arms. In March 1701, Lord Kira Yoshinaka insulted Naganori Asano in the palace belonging to the shogun (great general). This was an affront for the governor of Ako, who drew his sabre and wounded his adversary. As the former was closer to the shogun, Naganori Asano was condemned to committing ritual suicide, seppuku (disembowelment).
Thus, the 47 samurai who had served the governor of Ako became ronin (without a master). Out of loyalty, they decided to avenge him and attack Kira Yoshinaka’s residence. The episode concluded with the enemy of the defunct daimyo being decapitated, before the ronin purified his head using water from a well, the kubiarai ido, and took it as an offering to Naganori Asano’s tomb at Sengakuji. Following this, on the general’s orders, the dissidents suffered the same fate, disembowelment. In spite of their act of rebellion, these men were also buried in the sacred temple alongside the master whose death they avenged.
Courage (yu), honour (meiyo), loyalty (chugi)… Through their collective act of vengeance, the 47 samurai of Naganori Asano respected the code of moral principles that soldiers in feudal Japan had to follow, the bushido (‘the way of the warrior’).
A place of remembrance
Nowadays, Sengakuji Temple is a place of preservation and commemoration. The Buddhist establishment houses a modest museum named Akogishi Kinenkan. Through numerous artefacts, the cultural site transmits the story of Naganori Asano and the 47 ronin. Visitors can also take a look at the legendary tombs and the purifying well.
Every year, the Ako Gishi Sai festival is held at the shrine to pay homage to the samurai for their act of loyalty. This celebration, where participants burn incense and enjoy culinary specialities, takes place on 14 December, the date when the samurai took their revenge.
As part of the Soto Zen school, the Sengakuji Temple has also always welcomed monks in their hundreds for training, so they can deepen their practice and studies. This tradition continues today and has been filmed by the Keio University Art Centre.
More information about the Sengakuji Temple can be found on its official website.

© 江戸村のとくぞう

Tomb for Naganori Asano © Fg2

Tombs of the 47 ‘Ronin’ © Stéfan Le Dû
TRENDING
-
Tohl Narita, an Iconic ‘Tokusatsu’ Visual Artist
Artistic director and creator of cult characters like Ultraman, this artist shaped the history of special effects in Japanese cinema.
-
Japanese Society and Self-Harm
Photographer Kosuke Okahara followed six young girls experiencing suffering in 'Ibasyo -Self-injury, proof of existence-'.
-
‘Cure’, the Fear of Emptiness
At the crossroads between film noir and the fantastic, Kiyoshi Kurosawa depicts a manhunt where fear infiltrates a lifeless society.
-
'The Spirit of Pleasure', a Glimpse into Eroticism in Japan
From the cult of the samurai to that of geishas and the tightening of conventions, this essay traces the history of hedonism in Japan.
-
Recipe for Ichiraku Ramen from ‘Naruto’ by Danielle Baghernejad
Taken from the popular manga with the character of the same name who loves ramen, this dish is named after the hero's favourite restaurant.