"Behind every average film, there is a good story which was spoilt during screenplay writing"
Before couple of days, I watched this film called '47 Ronin'. I had already watched a bit of its trailer earlier, but I didn't get any interest in it, since it looked like a mix of unrelated elements like Samurai, Mythology and Keanu Reeves. But, a good print was available and I watched the movie because of my boredom. Since I liked the story and not the movie, this blogpost will be about the true story behind this film.
"Sometimes truth is more interesting than the fiction"
The real story behind this film happened in 18th century (1703 to be precise). Due to the heavy censorship during that time, the first written copy of this story was said to be written after 50 years only. So there are some controversies about some events of this story. Also, Since I do not know Japanese I have written this blogpost based only on the wikipedia.
In 18th century beginning, the lord of the Ako domain was Lord Asano. He and another domain lord was given the duty for arranging the reception for emperor envoys in Edo(now Tokyo). The arrangements were overseen by a powerful Edo official called Kira. It is said that Kira was not happy with gifts given to him by the domain lords and he was upset. So he insulted them in every way. Finally one day, Lord Asano could not tolerate anymore and attacked Kira in Edo castle ie Shogun's residence. (Shogun is the hereditary military governor or Emperor). The first strike made a scar in Kira's face. The second attack was missed. As per their law, even drawing out a weapon inside the castle is serious offence; but Asano had attacked a Shogun's official. So he was given death sentence. But due to his services, he was offered an honourable death of samurai by committing seppuku (committing ritual suicide).
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| Memorial stone marking the site of theMatsu no Ōrōka (Great Corridor of Pines) in Edo Castle, where Asano attacked Kira |
After Asano's death, all his wealth was confiscated. And his followers were made Ronin ie lordless. They were also prohibited from seeking vengeance as per their Bushido code (Samurai's way of living). But Asano's principal counsellor, Oishi decided otherwise.
The ronin took a secret oath to avenge Asano's death on the leadership of Oishi, eventhough they knew that the punishment for doing that would be death. To accomplish the oath, the ronin started to live like outcasts by working as normal labourers. Afraid of ronin, Kira fortified his place and lived very securely. He also planted many spies to watch the ronin, especially Oishi.
To fool Kira's spies, Oishi sacrificed his whole life and dignity itself. He divorced his wife so that no harm would come to her because of his actions. But his first son, Chikara stayed with Oishi. Oishi started to drink in daytime also and frequently visited geisha houses. Once he got over drunk, fell on the road and slept there itself . Disgusted by his actions, a person who went on that way kicked on his face and spat on him. (Even to touch a face of a samurai is considered as great insult to him). People used to laugh at Oishi for his behaviours.
Kira's spies noted all these and informed Kira. Not wanting to spend more of his retirement money on watching Oishi, Kira stopped worrying about ronin and let down his guard.
But all this time ronin were infiltrating in many work fields to gather information about Kira. It is said that one of the ronin went to marry the daughter of the builder of Kira's house, just to gain access to the floor plans. So after two years, the ronin got the right time to execute their plan.
As per the Japanese Calendar, On the early morning of 14th December, the ronin reached Kira's mansion in Edo. Half of them attacked in front under Oishi and the other half attacked from back under Chikara (he was 15 years old that time). Oishi already alerted the neighbours that their target was only Kira and they would not harm them. The neighbours also hated Kira so no one made any attempt to sound alert. The signal between the ronin were to beat a drum when attack is started and use a whistle when they found Kira.
During the attack, Kira's men tried to send messengers for help, but Oishi's men on roofs of neighbouring buildings taken care of that. After capturing the mansion, they found Kira in a secret courtyard. They confirmed it was indeed Kira by the scar on his face left by Asano. Oishi asked Kira to have a honourable death by committing seppuku. But Kira was not ready to do it. So Oishi cut his head with the same dagger Asano committed suicide and taken his head to his master's tomb in Sengakuji temple.
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| Grave of Asano Naganori at Sengaku-ji temple, Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. |
On the way, people gathered to see the ronin and they praised their bravery. People also offered refreshments for the ronin. It is said that one of the ronin was sent back to Ako domain to inform the news. Some say that he was afraid and left even before the attack. However the remaining 46 ronin turned themselves in. Even though they violated the law, they were acting under the Bushido. So they were offered the honourable death by seppuku and be buried beside their master.
After some time the guy who insulted Oishi on the street by spitting on his face came to Oishi's grave and begged for forgiveness. He then committed suicide and he was also buried in the same place. The 47th ronin was also buried there after he died on his 87th age. The clothes, arms, drum and whistle used by ronin are still preserved in the temple till this day. Each year on December 14, the temple holds a festival to commemorate the 47-ronin event.
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| Graves of the 47 Ronin at Sengaku-ji temple |
So the Americans have taken this story and looked like this was not enough for them. So they added a shape shifting female dragon on Kira's side and a boy with special powers (Keanu Reeves) who was raised by demons on Oishi's side. Because of this needless addition, instead of becoming on par with Tom Cruise's 'The Last Samurai', it is worth now only to be dubbed in Tamil by Thenandal films as ' 47 Kathi Veerakalum Urumaarum Dragon Arakkiyum' !
