Statue of Oishi Kuranosuke
Oishi Yoshio Kuranosuke (1659-1703) was the chief retainer/adviser (karo) to Ako daimyo Asano Naganori. He is famous for leading a group of forty-seven Ako ronin in a well-planned campaign to get revenge on Kira Yoshinaka. The result is perhaps the most well-known story in Japanese history. Perhaps the most interesting part of the story regarding Oishi was that he actually divorced his wife and disassociated himself from his family. He hung out in areas of ill repute, became a drunk, and associated with prostitutes. He did all this in order to disguise his plan for revenge and dissuade attention from himself--talk about determination.
A man who had spat on Oishi during his destitute days is said to have felt such remorse after hearing of the loyal deed that he came to Oishi's grave to apologize. It is believed he committed seppuku as well. His grave is located on the premises along with the 46 ronin.
Statue of Oishi Kuranosuke
Oishi Yoshio Kuranosuke (1659-1703) was the chief retainer/adviser (karo) to Ako daimyo Asano Naganori. He is famous for leading a group of forty-seven Ako ronin in a well-planned campaign to get revenge on Kira Yoshinaka. The result is perhaps the most well-known story in Japanese history. Perhaps the most interesting part of the story regarding Oishi was that he actually divorced his wife and disassociated himself from his family. He hung out in areas of ill repute, became a drunk, and associated with prostitutes. He did all this in order to disguise his plan for revenge and dissuade attention from himself--talk about determination.
A man who had spat on Oishi during his destitute days is said to have felt such remorse after hearing of the loyal deed that he came to Oishi's grave to apologize. It is believed he committed seppuku as well. His grave is located on the premises along with the 46 ronin.