47 Ronin Memorial Service
These two days of events mark the anniversary of the 47 Ronin incident, one of the most celebrated episodes in Tokyo history. On January 31 1703 (December 15 by old calendar), 46 samurai – one dropped out – whose master had been forced to commit ritual suicide for drawing his sword inside the Imperial Palace, took revenge by beheading the nobleman responsible for their master’s death. In response to public sympathy, the 46 were allowed to kill themselves in the same way as their master. Their bodies lie at this temple.
