Description
Fiction. Literature. Literary Anthologies. Mythology. HTML:A classic tale that will captivate lovers of Japan, history, and epic adventure alike. Japan's most celebrated tale of chivalry, loyalty and revengeâ??and the basis for a Hollywood feature film starring Keanu Reavesâ??47 Ronin is the epic tale of a heroic band of Samurai warriors who defy the Japanese Emperor to avenge the honor of their fallen master. The story begins in 1701 when the noble Lord Asano attacks an official at court. His punishment is swift and harshâ??the Emperor orders Lord Asano to commit ritual suicide (harikiri). His lands are confiscated, his family exiled, and his Samurai warrior brigade is disbandedâ??becoming Ronin or masterless, wandering renegades. While appearing to follow the Emperor's instructions, the 47 Ronin plot in secret for many years, biding their time until the moment to strike is right. Like the story of the Knights of the Round Table, the Ronin's deeds became legendary, iconic examples of courage, cunning and loyalty in an age when the Samurai were true heroes and honor was something worth dying for. John Allyn's vivid retelling, with a foreword by scholar and film advisor, Stephen Turnbull, presents this epic of Japanese literature in its correct histori… (more)
Library's review
from cover
Here at last is an entertaining account in English of the historical mass seppuku (disembowelment) of the forty-seven ronin, or masterless samurai, shortly after the turn of the 18th century in the feudal Tokugawa days of old Japan.
The forty-seven ronin were ordered to commit seppuku for
Though based on an actual incident, many details have been lost to history, and, as a result, several versions of the forty-seven ronin story have been told. But the fact remains that they were given the death penalty for their deed, which,at the time,so embodied the Japanese's ideals of the noble samurai's devotion to his lord that the forty-seven ronin were enshrined at Sengaku Temple beside their beloved master. Thus came to a dramatic close the final chapter of what has been acclaimed the most famous vendetta in the annals of Japan.
John Allyn is a film and music editor in the motion picture and television industries and also a writer/director of industrial films in the aerospace field.
Mr. Allyn attended the Army Specialized Trainning Program at Stanford University in 1944, majoring in the Japanese language, and also attended the Army Intaensive Japanese Language Schkool at teh University of Michigan in 1945, receiving a B.A. degree from the latter. During the first four years of the U.S. occupation of Japan, he worked as Pictorial Censor of the Civil Censorship Detachmante of G2, SCAP, in Osaka and Tokyo. After his return to the United States he entered UCLA in Los Angeles from where he received his master's degree in Theater Arts in 1951.
He is currently working toward a Ph.D degree in Theater History at UCLA, specializing in the modern Japanese theater. In addition to The Forty-Seven Ronin Story, Mr. Allyn is now preparing "The History of Modern Theater in Japan." He was born in Los Angeles where he now lives with his wife.
Here at last is an entertaining account in English of the historical mass seppuku (disembowelment) of the forty-seven ronin, or masterless samurai, shortly after the turn of the 18th century in the feudal Tokugawa days of old Japan.
The forty-seven ronin were ordered to commit seppuku for
Show More
their vindictive slaying of a corrupt court official whom they held utlimately responsible for bringing about the death of their master, Lord Asano. Asano was the brash young daimyo from the country whose ignorance of and unfamiliarity with the changing ways of the Edo court led not only to his own seppuku but also to the complete ruin and dissemination of his family and clan.Though based on an actual incident, many details have been lost to history, and, as a result, several versions of the forty-seven ronin story have been told. But the fact remains that they were given the death penalty for their deed, which,at the time,so embodied the Japanese's ideals of the noble samurai's devotion to his lord that the forty-seven ronin were enshrined at Sengaku Temple beside their beloved master. Thus came to a dramatic close the final chapter of what has been acclaimed the most famous vendetta in the annals of Japan.
John Allyn is a film and music editor in the motion picture and television industries and also a writer/director of industrial films in the aerospace field.
Mr. Allyn attended the Army Specialized Trainning Program at Stanford University in 1944, majoring in the Japanese language, and also attended the Army Intaensive Japanese Language Schkool at teh University of Michigan in 1945, receiving a B.A. degree from the latter. During the first four years of the U.S. occupation of Japan, he worked as Pictorial Censor of the Civil Censorship Detachmante of G2, SCAP, in Osaka and Tokyo. After his return to the United States he entered UCLA in Los Angeles from where he received his master's degree in Theater Arts in 1951.
He is currently working toward a Ph.D degree in Theater History at UCLA, specializing in the modern Japanese theater. In addition to The Forty-Seven Ronin Story, Mr. Allyn is now preparing "The History of Modern Theater in Japan." He was born in Los Angeles where he now lives with his wife.
Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member DeusEx0352
This book is a retelling of the famous incident of the Forty Seven Ronin, one of the truly epic stories from Feudal Japan. Fictionalized, the story moves along. It's almost like a novelization of a great movie, well done. Anyone who is curious about the incident, I suggest this book as an entree.
LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
John Allyn’s The 47 Ronin Story is the reworking of a celebrated Japanese samurai tale, perhaps based on actual history whereby a group of loyal Samurai planned and carried out their revenge on the man who they blamed for the execution of their own master.
Samurai was the highest ranking a warrior
The main character, Oishi, is the chief retainer under Lord Asano, and it is his duty to hold the Ronin together and figure out how they would take their revenge. Although many of the Ronin wanted to fight right away, Oishi felt the honourable thing to do was first secure the safety of his Lord’s family, and wait for the best opportunity to destroy his Lord’s enemy.
A fascinating story, seeped in the rich Japanese culture, The 47 Ronin Story is a classic tale of honor and revenge. This story illustrates the importance of the Samurai code of honor, Bushido. John Allyn’s version appears to remain faithful to the story that is much honoured in Japan with it’s lessons in loyalty, sacrifice, honor and persistence. An original and stirring rendition.
Samurai was the highest ranking a warrior
Show More
could attain in feudal Japan and to be a Samurai one must be in service to one of the noble families. If something happened to that connection, then the Samurai became Ronin, and could not consider themselves men of honor until they found a new connection. Of course, if your master was killed, you were expected to exact revenge. The main character, Oishi, is the chief retainer under Lord Asano, and it is his duty to hold the Ronin together and figure out how they would take their revenge. Although many of the Ronin wanted to fight right away, Oishi felt the honourable thing to do was first secure the safety of his Lord’s family, and wait for the best opportunity to destroy his Lord’s enemy.
A fascinating story, seeped in the rich Japanese culture, The 47 Ronin Story is a classic tale of honor and revenge. This story illustrates the importance of the Samurai code of honor, Bushido. John Allyn’s version appears to remain faithful to the story that is much honoured in Japan with it’s lessons in loyalty, sacrifice, honor and persistence. An original and stirring rendition.
Show Less
LibraryThing member znorris
A story of steadfast devotion with the ability to move a modern warriors heart.
LibraryThing member Zare
It took me some time to read this book – to be honest, I have finished it from the third run – I was just taken down by the first few chapters were background for the story was given. After that story becomes more interesting and reads very fast.
After their lord is tricked to use force in
After their petitions for justice are turned down, this brave group decides to take the ultimate step – avenge their late master by taking down the man who brought him (and themselves) demise. They know that at the end they will face nothing else but death but they do not falter – they are ready to follow their ideals to the very end. They start to prepare for their revenge by weaving the masterful plan of deception in order to put their enemies at ease.
This is interesting story from time that seems to be lost now – time when ideals were worth fighting for. It provides great descriptions of human nature and relations (especially how the numbers of eager warriors dwindled by time).
Recommended.
After their lord is tricked to use force in
Show More
Shogun’s court and after he was expediently executed (as per law), lord Asano’s samurais find themselves without master and noble house to serve. In the world where there is distinct difference between nobility and commoners (especially visible during the theater performance where samurais just cant believe that common folk can comprehend their ideals) ending up as ronin (masterless samurai) is great embarrassment.After their petitions for justice are turned down, this brave group decides to take the ultimate step – avenge their late master by taking down the man who brought him (and themselves) demise. They know that at the end they will face nothing else but death but they do not falter – they are ready to follow their ideals to the very end. They start to prepare for their revenge by weaving the masterful plan of deception in order to put their enemies at ease.
This is interesting story from time that seems to be lost now – time when ideals were worth fighting for. It provides great descriptions of human nature and relations (especially how the numbers of eager warriors dwindled by time).
Recommended.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Gamble-san
I really liked this book. There are certainly many versions of this story, but I think this book has made a great effort to keep things simple and as accurate to the facts as can be.
Anyone interested in Japanese history, culture, or the samurai should try reading this book first. Great story, easy
Anyone interested in Japanese history, culture, or the samurai should try reading this book first. Great story, easy
Show More
to read, and you can get a sense of how times past in Japan was like Show Less
LibraryThing member nkmunn
An interesting read. If anyone can recommend the best movies based on the tale of the {book:47 Ronin story] I would be curious to see the story as a film.
LibraryThing member cameling
Historical fiction around the infamous samurai who became ronin when their master, Lord Asano, was instructed by the Shogun to commit seppuku for having struck Kira, the Shogun's Master of Ceremonies. It didn't matter that Kira was a corrupt official. Lord Asano of Ako's castle and lands were
This is a story of loyalty, determination and vengeance.
Show More
turned over and his samurai became ronin, left to seek their own fortunes without a master. The ronin were bound together by their fierce determination to seek the justice against Kira and to restore the name of their master, even thought acts of vengeance were outlawed by the Shogun.This is a story of loyalty, determination and vengeance.
Show Less
LibraryThing member AstonishingChristina
Novel based on a famous Japanese legend. The Ako Vendetta was an actual event in the 18th century, although the story has since been much embroidered in Japanese popular culture.
ISBN
8048001967
Publication
Charles E. Tuttle Company Rutland Vermont Tokyo Japan
Original publication date
1970