Ako City (赤穂市) is located in the southwestern edge of Hyogo Prefecture: it is adjacent to Okayama Prefecture.  It faces the shore of the Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海).  Ako was formally called Kariya (仮屋 or 加里屋) which was the best place of salt-manufacture (製塩地) of the Seto Inland Sea.  Now the city is well known for the Ako-gishi (赤穂義士) or the Royal Retainers of Ako.  It is also famous for "anago" (穴子; the conger [eel]).  It has an area of 126.88 sq. km and the current population is 51,072 (April 1, 2008); the density is 403 persons/sq. km.
  
  
  

The Ako Incident (赤穂事件)
  
  The Ako Incident (赤穂事件), which took place between the 14th year of Genroku (元禄14年) or AD 1701 and the 16th year of Genroku (元禄16年) or AD 1703, is the most famous Japanese story of avenge.
  Takuminokami Nagayori Asano (浅野 内匠頭 長矩), feudal lord of Banshu-Ako (播州赤穂; now western Hyogo Pref.), was appointed by the Shogunate to entertain the Imperial Envoys visiting Edo (Tokyo) from Kyoto.  He was to seek directions from his official advisor, Kozukenosuke Yoshinaka Kira (吉良 上野介 義央).  However, Kira disliked Asano and treated him with malice and disregarded his honor as a samurai.
  Unable to tolerate Kira's insults anymore, Asano drew his sword on him in the Edo-jo Castle at what is known as "Matsu-no-Roka-jiken" (松の廊下事件) or "The Pine Corridor Incident."  Asano managed to cut Kira on his forehead and shoulder but failed to kill him.
  It was strictly forbidden to draw one's sword within Edo-jo Castle on no account at that time, and Asano was immediately arrested.  There was also a law termed "equal punishment for quarrels" (喧嘩両成敗) which punished both samurais involved in a fight, so both Asano and Kira were expected to be punished.  However, while Kira received no punishment, Asaso was sentenced to death by "seppuku" (切腹; hara-kiri) in a garden of Lord Tamura (田村 右京太夫 建顯)'s residence of the Ichinoseki clan (一関藩; now southern Iwate) on the very same day without proper investigation.  "Seppuku" outside in a garden was for a felon and inappropriate for someone of Asano's standing.  Furthermore, the Asano estate was confiscated and his family line was dethroned from the lordship.
  The loyal retainers of Lord Ako, better known as the Ako-gishi (赤穂義士), were indignant of this judgment and pleaded for an amendment of the order and the reinstatement of the Asano clan.  However, their requests were dismissed.
  Almost two years after the fateful incident, 47 samurais of Ako assembled under the former chief retainer (家老), Kuranosuke Yoshitaka Oishi (大石 内蔵助 良雄), to avenge their lord's death and the injustice imposed by the Shogunate.  On December 14th, 1702 in the lunar calendar (late January in the solar calendar), they attacked Kira's residence and killed him under Soko Yamaga (山鹿 素行, 1622-1685)'s strategy.  Then they marched to Sengaku-ji Temple to present Kira's head to Asano's grave and reported their accomplishment to their late lord.
  The Ako-gishi turned themselves in to the Shogunate right away and were sentenced to "seppuku" as well the following year on February 4th (in the lunar calendar).
  The avenge of the Ako-gishi has been made into various plays and is now commonly called "Chu-shin-gura" (忠臣蔵; The Story of the Loyal Retainers).  It is a very popular tale that has been touching people's hearts for more than 300 years.  The chivalry of the loyral retainers and the themes of "Gi" (義; Justice) and "Chu" (忠; Loyalty) are still highly esteemed by Japanese people. (Main Reference: the Official Pamphlet of Bansho-zan Sengaku-ji Temple)
  
  For further interest of the Ako-gishi, refer to the "Sengaku-ji Temple" section of the Tokyo page.
  

IMAGE	IMAGE NO.	DATA
Banshu Ako Station		JR Banshu Ako Station (JR播州赤穂駅).  "Ban-shu" (播州) is the alternative name of "Harima" (播磨), the old name of Western Hyogo.
	hak2008-002	(Tuesday 18 March) JR Banshu Ako Station
	hak2008-003	(Tuesday 18 March) The advertisement of the annual festival commemorating the achievement of the 47 (48) Royal Retainers of Ako, JR Banshu Ako Station.  The festival called "Ako-gishi-sai" (赤穂義士祭) is held on December 14 annually.
	hak2008-004	(Tuesday 18 March) The tablet reading "Chu-shin-gura" (忠臣蔵), the Lives of the Royal Retainers, JR Banshu Ako Station
	hak2008-005	(Tuesday 18 March) The statue of Kuranosuke Oishi (大石 内蔵助) & me at the Tourist Office of JR Banshu Ako Station
	hak2008-007	(Tuesday 18 March) Individual posters of each retainer of Ako, JR Banshu Ako Station
	hak2008-009	(Tuesday 18 March) The chronological table of the Ako-gishi, JR Banshu Ako Station
	hak2008-010	(Tuesday 18 March) In front of JR Banshu Ako Station featuring the feagures of the Ako-gishi for tourists
	hak2008-011	(Tuesday 18 March) Another statue of Kuranosuke Oishi ( 大石 内蔵助) with his two retainers in front of JR Banshu Ako Station
Ako-jo Castle		Ako-jo Castle Remains (赤穂城址).   Ako-jo Castle was originally constructed by Masatsua Ikeda (池田 政綱) in the 1st year of Genwa (元和元年) or AD 1615.  Then the Asano clan owned this castle since Naganao Asano (浅野 長直) entered in the 2nd year of Shoho (正保2年) or AD 1645 and reconstructed between 1648-1661).  However, it was forfeited by the Tokugawa Shogunate immediately after his grand son Naganori Asano (浅野 長矩)'s "hara-kiri" as the punishment for the "Matsu-no-Roka-jiken" (松の廊下事件) or "The Pine Corridor Incident" in the 14th year of Genroku (元禄14年) or AD 1701.   After the incident, the Mori famiy (森家) governed this area.
	hak2008-017	(Tuesday 18 March) Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-019	(Tuesday 18 March) Site of "Ni-no-maru-mon" (二の丸門; the gate to the [intermediate] outworks of a castle), Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-020	(Tuesday 18 March) Site of "Ni-no-maru-mon" (二の丸門; the gate to the [intermediate] outworks of a castle), Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-024	(Tuesday 18 March) Site of "Ni-no-maru-mon" (二の丸門; the gate to the [intermediate] outworks of a castle), Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-027	(Tuesday 18 March) Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-030	(Tuesday 18 March) Bust of Soko Yamaga (山鹿 素行, 1622-1685) made in 1925, Ako-jo Castle Remains.  Yamaga was a famous strategist and Confucianist who was employed by Naganao Asano (浅野 長直) with the annual salary of 1,000 goku between 1652-1660.   During his stay, Yamaga participated in reconstructing the castle suggesting some changes in the intermediate outworks, and taught strategies to retainers of the Asano clan.  Later, the Royal Retainers of Ako used Yamaga's tactics to attack Kira's residence, which made Yamaga's name immortal.
	hak2008-031	(Tuesday 18 March) Bust of Soko Yamaga (山鹿 素行, 1622-1685) made in 1925, Ako-jo Castle Remains.  Yamaga was a famous strategist and Confucianist who was employed by Naganao Asano (浅野 長直) with the annual salary of 1,000 goku between 1652-1660.   During his stay, Yamaga participated in reconstructing the castle suggesting some changes in the intermediate outworks, and taught strategies to retainers of the Asano clan.  Later, the Royal Retainers of Ako used Yamaga's tactics to attack Kira's residence, which made Yamaga's name immortal.
	hak2008-033	(Tuesday 18 March) map of the Ni-no-maru garden or the intermediate outworks, Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-034	(Tuesday 18 March) Informative map of Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-036	(Tuesday 18 March) The donjon or inner citadel (本丸) site of Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-037	(Tuesday 18 March) The donjon or inner citadel (本丸) site of Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-038	(Tuesday 18 March) The donjon or inner citadel (本丸) site of Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-039	(Tuesday 18 March) The gate to the donjon or inner citadel (本丸) site of Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-040	(Tuesday 18 March) The gate to the donjon or inner citadel (本丸) site of Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-041	(Tuesday 18 March) The donjon or inner citadel (本丸) site of Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-042	(Tuesday 18 March) The gate to the donjon or inner citadel (本丸) site of Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-046	(Tuesday 18 March) The donjon or inner citadel (本丸) site of Ako-jo Castle Remains
	hak2008-047	(Tuesday 18 March) The donjon or inner citadel (本丸) site of Ako-jo Castle Remains
Yoshio Oishi's House		Kuranosuke Yoshitaka Oishi's House (大石 内蔵助 良雄 宅阯) next to Oishi-jinjya Shrine or in the backyard of Ako-jo Castle.   This house was owned by the Oishi family, who was served as the chief retainer (筆頭家老) for three generation over 57 years in the late seventeenth century.  It was reconstructed in the 3rd year of Ansei (安政3年) or AD 1856 and designated as a national cultural asset in the 12th year of Taisho (大正12年) or AD 1923.
	hak2008-050	(Tuesday 18 March) "Nagaya-mon" (長屋門; the Nagaya-style gate) of Oishi's House
	hak2008-052	(Tuesday 18 March) Signpost of Oishi's House Site
	hak2008-054	(Tuesday 18 March) "Nagaya-mon" (長屋門; the Nagaya-style gate) of Oishi's House
	hak2008-056	(Tuesday 18 March) "Nagaya-mon" (長屋門; the Nagaya-style gate) of Oishi's House
	hak2008-057	(Tuesday 18 March) "Nagaya-mon" (長屋門; the Nagaya-style gate) of Oishi's House
	hak2008-059	(Tuesday 18 March) Oishi's House and the garden
	hak2008-061	(Tuesday 18 March) Oishi's House
	hak2008-063	(Tuesday 18 March) Inside of Oishi's House when the family have just received the bad news of their lord's death in 1701.
	hak2008-066	(Tuesday 18 March) Figures of Kuranosuke Yoshitaka Oishi and probably his lord Takuminokami Naganori Asano, Oishi's House
	hak2008-067	(Tuesday 18 March) Inside of Oishi's House when the family have just received the bad news of their lord's death in 1701.
	hak2008-068	(Tuesday 18 March) Inside of Oishi's House when the family have just received the bad news of their lord's death in 1701.
	hak2008-075	(Tuesday 18 March) "Kodakara-In-yo-seki (子宝陰陽石; The Yin-Yang Stones for Blessing with Good Children) in the garden of Oishi's House
	hak2008-077	(Tuesday 18 March) Oishi-Inari-sha Shrine (大石稲荷社) in the garden of Oishi's House.  "Inari-sha" or "Inari-jinjya" generally enshrines the god of harvests or the fox deity.
	hak2008-078	(Tuesday 18 March) Oishi-Inari-sha Shrine (大石稲荷社) in the garden of Oishi's House.  "Inari-sha" or "Inari-jinjya" generally enshrines the god of harvests or the fox deity.
	hak2008-079	(Tuesday 18 March) Statue of Riku Oishi (大石りく; Oishi's [legal] wife) in the garden of Oishi's House
	hak2008-081	(Tuesday 18 March) The stone tablet reading "Giho" (義芳) which means "good royalty" in the garden of Oishi's House
	hak2008-082	(Tuesday 18 March) A sacred tree and the above stone tablet In the garden of Oishi's House
	hak2008-083	(Tuesday 18 March) Oishi's House over the pond
Oishi-jinjya Shrine		Oishi-jinjya Shrine (大石神社) was founded in the 1st year of Taisho (大正元年) or AD 1912 for reposing and celebrating the 47 (48) Royal Retainers of Ako.  The new shrine building was built in 2002, the 300th anniversary of the Royal Retainers' achievement.   It has an annual festival called "Gishi-sai" (義士祭) for the 47 (48) retainers on December 14.
	hak2008-085	(Tuesday 18 March) The Stone Gate of Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-087	(Tuesday 18 March) The commemorative stone built by the late general of the navy Heihachiro Togo (東郷 平八郎, 1847-1934) who smashed the Russian Baltic Fleet during the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-5.  Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-089	(Tuesday 18 March) The picture of the 47 retainers' marching after attacking Kira's with the Japanese letters "Taigan-jojyu" (大願成就; the attainment of one's desire).  Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-090	(Tuesday 18 March) 48 statues of the Royal Retainers of Ako at the entrance of Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-093	(Tuesday 18 March) 48 statues of the Royal Retainers of Ako at the entrance of Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-094	(Tuesday 18 March) "Hyaku-do-ishi" (百度石; the mark of a hundred times worship) in the precincts of Oishi-jinjya Shrine.   In tradition, if you have a strong wish, you must go to a shrine or a temple to pray for God.  Then your wish might be granted.
	hak2008-095	(Tuesday 18 March) Three statues of the 48 statues of the Royal Retainers of Ako at the entrance of Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-096	(Tuesday 18 March) The statue of Kuranosuke Yoshitaka Oishi (大石 内蔵助 良雄) among the 48 statues of the Royal Retainers of Ako at the entrance of Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-099	(Tuesday 18 March) Statues of Yasubee Horibe (堀部安兵衛) and Chuzaemon Yoshida (吉田忠左衛門) among the 48 statues of the Royal Retainers of Ako at the entrance of Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-100	(Tuesday 18 March) Statue of Chikara Yoshikane Oishi (大石 主悦 良金); the first son of Kuranosuke, among the 48 statues of the Royal Retainers of Ako at the entrance of Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-102	(Tuesday 18 March) The middle gate to Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-104	(Tuesday 18 March) Wooden image of "Ebisu-sama" (恵比寿さま; The God of Wealth) in the right of the middle gate to Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-105	(Tuesday 18 March) Wooden image of "Daikoku-sama" (大黒さま; Mahakala; the God of Five Cereals; Fortune) in the left of the middle gate to Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-106	(Tuesday 18 March) "Temizu-ya" (手水舎; the washing basin), Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-109	(Tuesday 18 March) Another statue of Kuranosuke Yoshitaka Oishi (大石 内蔵助 良雄), Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-115	(Tuesday 18 March) This year (20th year of Heisei)'s big votive picture of Kuranosuke Yoshitaka Oishi (大石 内蔵助 良雄) with the letters of "Taigan-jojyu" (大願成就; the attainment of one's desire), Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-116	(Tuesday 18 March) The point of hanging your votive tablets (絵馬), Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-117	(Tuesday 18 March) Worshippers' Hall (拝殿), Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-118	(Tuesday 18 March) "Ningyo-kuyo-sai" (人形供養祭; the point of reposing souls of used Japanese dolls), Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-119	(Tuesday 18 March) The point of hanging the fortune-telling paper slips (normally if you are told bad fortunes), Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-120	(Tuesday 18 March) Worshippers' Hall (拝殿), Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-122	(Tuesday 18 March) Worshippers' Hall (拝殿), Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-123	(Tuesday 18 March) Main Hall (本殿) and Worshippers' Hall (拝殿) over the fence, Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-124	(Tuesday 18 March) Main Hall (本殿) over the fence, Oishi-jinjya Shrine
	hak2008-125	(Tuesday 18 March) The shrine museum with "Jin-daiko" (陣太鼓; the Japanese war drum) in front, Oishi-jinjya Shrine
Ikitsugi-ido		"Ikitsugi-ido "(息継ぎ井戸), the breathing well.  It is said that in 1701 Tozaemon Hayami (速水 藤左衛門) and Sampei Kayano (萱野 三平) rode in series of sedan-chairs to break the bad news of their lord to the clan and finally arrived at the castle town short of breath, they came up for air here with the well water before they went to Oishi's house.
	hak2008-129	(Tuesday 18 March) The board "Ikitsugi-hiroba" (いきつぎ広場; Ikitsugi Square), the breathing well
	hak2008-131	(Tuesday 18 March) "Ikitsugi-ido," the breathing well
	hak2008-135	(Tuesday 18 March) "Ikitsugi-ido," the breathing well
	hak2008-136	(Tuesday 18 March) "Ikitsugi-ido," the breathing well
Kagaku-ji Temple		Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple (台雲山 花岳寺), 1992 Kariya, Ako-shi, Hyogo (兵庫県赤穂市加里屋1992).  It belongs to the Soto-shu sect (曹洞宗) of Buddhism.  It was founded by Naganao Asano (浅野 長直) as the family temple of the Asano in the 2nd year of (正保2年) or AD 1645.  Here the souls of the three lords of Asano and the forty-eight royal retainers repose.   For further interest of the Ako-gishi, refer to the "Sengaku-ji Temple" section of the Tokyo page.
	hak2008-137	(Tuesday 18 March) Signpost of Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-139	(Tuesday 18 March) San-mon Gate (山門), Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-140	(Tuesday 18 March) Main Hall (本堂) of Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-142	(Tuesday 18 March) "Binzuru" (賓頭盧; Skt. Pindola Bharadvaja), Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple.   Pindola was one of the sixteen arahats, who were disciples of the Buddha.  Pindola is said to have excelled in the mastery of occult powers.  It is commonly believed in Japan that when a person rubs a part of the image of "Binzuru" and then rubs the corresponding part of his/her own body, his/her ailment there will disappear.
	hak2008-144	(Tuesday 18 March) Picture of a tiger, Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-145	(Tuesday 18 March) Mausoleum of the Asano lords, Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-147	(Tuesday 18 March) Belfry of Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-149	(Tuesday 18 March) "Chugi-zuka" (忠義塚; the monument of loyalty), Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-154	(Tuesday 18 March) The gate to the graveyard of the Forty-eight Royal Retainers, Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple.   Actually, their bodies were buried in Bansho-zan Sengaku-ji Temple, Takawa, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo.  Only some of their hair were sent here to be buried later.
	hak2008-156	(Tuesday 18 March) The graveyard of the Forty-eight Royal Retainers, Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-158	(Tuesday 18 March) The gravestone of Takuminokami Nagayori Asano (浅野 内匠頭 長矩) in the graveyard of the Forty-eight Royal Retainers, Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-159	(Tuesday 18 March) The gravestone of Takuminokami Nagayori Asano (浅野 内匠頭 長矩) in the graveyard of the Forty-eight Royal Retainers, Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-160	(Tuesday 18 March) The gravestone of Chikara Yoshikane Oishi (大石 主悦 良金) in the graveyard of the Forty-eight Royal Retainers, Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-161	(Tuesday 18 March) The gravestone of Kuranosuke Yoshitaka Oishi (大石 内蔵助 良雄) in the graveyard of the Forty-eight Royal Retainers, Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-162	(Tuesday 18 March) The graveyard of the Forty-eight Royal Retainers, Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-163	(Tuesday 18 March) The graveyard of the Forty-eight Royal Retainers, Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-168	(Tuesday 18 March) The graveyard of the Oishi family, Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-169	(Tuesday 18 March) The graveyard of the Oishi family, Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-171	(Tuesday 18 March) Signpost of the graves of three generations of the Asano family, Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-176	(Tuesday 18 March) The grave of the 1st lord Naganao Asano (浅野 長直), Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-174	(Tuesday 18 March) The grave of the 2nd lord Nagatomo Asano (浅野 長友), Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
	hak2008-178	(Tuesday 18 March) The grave of Nagashige Asano (浅野 長重) of Hitachi-Kasama (常陸笠間), Taiun-san Kagaku-ji Temple
Soba Kinugasa		Soba-dokoro Kinugasa (そば処 衣笠), a backweat noodles restaurant.  A delicous and reasonable restaurant.  Highly recommended!
	hak2008-182	(Tuesday 18 March) My lunch "Kakiage-don teishoku" (かき揚げ丼定食) at Soba-dokoro Kinugasa
	hak2008-183	(Tuesday 18 March) Soba-dokoro Kinugasa

        

Copyright (c) 2008 Eishiro Ito.  All rights reserved.