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The Forty-Seven Ronins

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The Forty-Seven Ronins

By: Takashi Takamia
Narrated by: Walter Covell
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About this listen

This famous story chronicles the end of the lives of the Forty-Seven Ronin, also know as the Forty-Seven Samurai. It is described by one noted Japanese scholar as the country's "national legend". It recounts the most famous case involving the Samurai code of honor, "bushido".

Public Domain (P)1987 Jimcin Recordings
Anthologies Anthologies & Short Stories Classics Samurai

Editor reviews

One snowy night in 1702, 47 ronin (masterless samurai warriors) avenged the death of their daimyo (i.e. "lord") in a brilliant raid. The episode has become ingrained in Japanese history as an example of the samurai code.

Takashi Takamia’s The Forty-Seven Ronins offers one rendition of this story. In his telling, the ronin’s daimyo, Asano, was bullied by a high official named Kira into an attack that led to Asano’s death. Asano’s warriors plot a careful revenge, scattering throughout the country and lulling Kira into a sense of safety, before they meet again.

Walter Covell’s driving delivery and masterly pronunciation of Japanese names help accentuate this bloody tale of vengeance.

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