47 Ronin

"The tale of the 47 Ronin is probably the most celebrated in samurai folklore, having been recounted and romanticized through plays, novels, television, and film over the last three centuries. The story dates back to the early 1700s, when Asano Naganori, Lord of Ako, was called to Edo to receive imperial envoys. The young Asano was to be assisted in the matters of court etiquette by high official Kira Yoshinaka, but the two had a falling out, allegedly because Asano failed to present adequate gifts to Kira. After repeated public humiliation from the elderly official, Asano drew his sword against him, a crime for which Asano was ordered to commit seppuku. Of Asano's retainers, all of whom became "ronin" or masterless samurai, forty-seven...