Is 47 Ronin a real story?

The film is based on an actual historical event during the Edo Period known as “Chushingura.” It involved a lord who was wrongfully put to death and his followers — ronin — who sought revenge. Rinsch said he took on the film subject and sat down with Keanu Reeves about two years ago.

How much of 47 Ronin is real?

The tale of the 47 Ronin is one of the most famous in Japanese history, and it is a true story. During the Tokugawa era in Japan, the country was ruled by the shogun, or highest military official, in the name of the emperor.

Were the 47 ronin executed?

As expected, the rōnin were sentenced to death for the murder of Kira; but the shōgun finally resolved the quandary by ordering them to honorably commit seppuku instead of having them executed as criminals. Each of the assailants ended his life in a ritualistic fashion.

Is Kai a real character in 47 Ronin?

Keanu Reeves as Kai, a half-Japanese, half-English outcast adopted by the household of Lord Asano who joins the Ronin. The character was created for the film.

Was Ronin real?

Daniel “Ronin” Shinoda is a fictional badass, but the man who inspired him, Tu Lam, was a real Special Forces Operator that conducted numerous operations, as part of the United States Army. Today, Retired Master Sergeant Tu Lam shares his skillset with clients through his company, Ronin Tactics Inc.

The True Story of The 47 Ronin

Where are the 47 ronin buried?

Sengakuji (泉岳寺) is a small temple near Shinagawa Station in Tokyo. The temple is famous for its graveyard where the "47 Ronin" (also known as Akoroshi, the "masterless samurai from Ako") are buried.

Do samurai still exist?

Although samurai no longer exist, the influence of these great warriors still manifests itself deeply in Japanese culture and samurai heritage can be seen all over Japan - be it a great castle, a carefully planned garden, or beautifully preserved samurai residences.

Is The Last Samurai a true story?

Not many people know the true story of The Last Samurai, the sweeping Tom Cruise epic of 2003. His character, the noble Captain Algren, was actually largely based on a real person: the French officer Jules Brunet. Brunet was sent to Japan to train soldiers on how to use modern weapons and tactics.

Can a samurai marry?

Most samurai married women from a samurai family, but for a lower ranked samurai, marriages with commoners were permitted. In these marriages a dowry was brought by the woman and was used to start their new lives. A samurai could have a mistress but her background was strictly checked by higher ranked samurai.

Who were the ronin in Japan?

A rōnin (浪人, "drifter" or "wanderer") was a samurai without a lord or master during the feudal period (1185–1868) of Japan. A samurai became masterless upon the death of his master or after the loss of his master's favor or privilege.

Was one of the 47 ronin a half breed?

So why can't Hollywood insert a little Pirates of the Caribbean–esque oomph to this tale of feudal honor and revenge? In this variation, the ronin are joined by a half-breed named Kai (Keanu Reeves), who is discovered as a young refugee in the forest and taken in by the feudal lord Asano (Min Tanaka).

Did 47 Ronin make money?

But when the movie hit theaters, audiences weren't so keen on 47 Ronin. In fact, the movie — which reportedly cost $175 million — earned a paltry $38 million domestically, according to Box Office Mojo. Internationally, it performed a bit better with $113 million.

What happens if a samurai does not commit seppuku?

Depending on the severity of the crime, all or part of the property of the condemned could be confiscated, and the family would be punished by being stripped of rank, sold into long-term servitude, or executed. Seppuku was considered the most honorable capital punishment apportioned to samurai.

Why did the 47 ronin raid Kira's mansion?

In 1701, Asano Naganori, the daimyō (feudal lord) of the Akō Domain, assaulted Lord Kira with his sword for unknown reasons. He was forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) following a brief tribunal. Enraged, 47 samurai who had sworn fealty to Lord Asano attacked Kira's home at night.

What caused the fall of the samurai?

The role of the samurai in peacetime declined gradually over this period, but two factors led to the end of samurai: the urbanization of Japan and the end of isolationism. As more and more Japanese moved to the cities, fewer farmers produced the rice needed to feed the growing population.

Do ninjas still exist?

Tools of a dying art. Japan's era of shoguns and samurai is long over, but the country does have one, or maybe two, surviving ninjas. Experts in the dark arts of espionage and silent assassination, ninjas passed skills from father to son - but today's say they will be the last.

Is there a female samurai?

Linguistic purists point out that the term "samurai" is a masculine word; thus, there is no "female samurai." Nonetheless, for thousands of years, certain upper-class Japanese women have learned martial skills and participated in battles right alongside the male samurai.

Are ninjas real?

If you're a fan of ninjas, you'll be pleased to know that ninjas were indeed real. However, the real ninjas of the past were probably nothing like today's version. In fact, they weren't even called ninjas! The ninjas of ancient Japan were called shinobis.

Can I become a samurai?

You may be interested in the courage of the ancient warriors or be interested in their tactics and weapons. Can I become a samurai if I am not Japanese? Yes, you can if you know the way of the sword and you have the courage and determination, you can become a samurai.

Why did Japan get rid of the samurai?

Relative peace prevailed during the roughly 250 years of the Edo Period. As a result, the importance of martial skills declined, and many samurai became bureaucrats, teachers or artists. Japan's feudal era eventually came to an end in 1868, and the samurai class was abolished a few years afterwards.

Are there any samurai villages left?

Japan has many historical places that include old towns, castles, famous samurai districts and merchant districts. To tell you the truth, Japanese government has successfully preserved all these places, especially the samurai districts. They represent Japan every now and then.

Who is the last true samurai?

Saigo Takamori of Japan is known as the Last Samurai, who lived from 1828 to 1877 and is remembered to this day as the epitome of bushido, the samurai code. Although much of his history has been lost, recent scholars have discovered clues to the true nature of this illustrious warrior and diplomat.

Was there a real battle of Tsushima?

The first battle in the game, where a small group of samurai are massacred by thousands of invading Mongols, is accurate and based on a real event. The Mongol invasion of Japan was a real event that occurred in 1274, and Tsushima Island was the Mongol's first target.

Who was the greatest samurai?

1. Oda Nobunaga (織田 信長) While Miyamoto Musashi may be the best-known "samurai" internationally, Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) claims the most respect within Japan.

Why did samurai become ronin?

A ronin was a samurai warrior in feudal Japan without a master or lord — known as a daimyo. A samurai could become a ronin in several different ways: his master might die or fall from power or the samurai might lose his master's favor or patronage and be cast off.