Sengakuji
Cost
free
Attractions > Tokyo > Shrines Temples > Shinagawa
About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees
The Sengakuji graveyard where 47 Ronin are interned
About
Sengakuji was just your basic 'ol Zen Buddhist temple in Tokyo until 1701. In that year the Ako Incident occurred (portrayed in movies named "47 Ronin" or "Chushinguru") and made the temple super famous. Sengakuji is the famed temple where the 47 Ronin are interned. The temple itself is a pretty basic Buddhist Temple but the story that goes along with it is what makes it so fascinating. The temple is pretty easy to get to so it's definitely worth a visit. It doesn't quite have the visual grandeur of many other temples but the history behind it makes it one of the most significant in Japan. As a side note, you can also visit what remains of Lord Kira Yoshinaka's mansion (see story below). His mansion is in Ryogoku at this address (Google Map).
The Ako Incident: The 47 Ronin or also known as Chushinguru, is one of Japan's most famous Samurai historical events. In 1701 the Daimyo Lord Asano Naganori assaulted and drew his sword against another Daimyo Lord named Kira Yoshinaka inside Edo Castle, an act that was forbidden by law. Asano Naganori was sentenced to death so he committed seppuku (ceremonial suicide). Asano Naganori's Samurai were left without a master so they became Ronin (Ronin means leaderless Samurai). Without a leader the Ronin had no purpose so 47 out of 300 Samurai that Asano Naganori had retained, decided that they needed to avenge their lord's death and kill Kira Yoshinaka (the leader of the Ronin group named Oishi, refused to allow his Lord's death go unavenged).
On December 14, 1702, they put their elaborate plan into action and attacked Lord Kira and his men in his mansion. After storming the mansion and killing 16 men, they found Kira Yoshinaka hiding in a secret garden within the mansion. They gave him a chance to commit seppuku but he did not reply so they sliced off his head of which they brought to Sengakuji temple, where Lord Asano was buried. After they finished their final deed for their Lord, the Ronin themselves were obliged to commit seppuku for the murder of Kira Yoshinaka. 46 of the Ronin committed seppuku, one of the Ronin named Terasaka Kichiemon decided to live on (and actually was pardoned by the Shogun and lived till the age of 87). The 47 Ronin are interred on the grounds of Sengakuji.
Below is a list of some of the more famous movies about the 47 Ronin. The 1962 version is considered to be the best version by many although others prefer the new Hollywood version as well. Finding how to watch these movies is another challenge.
- 1941 (Japanese), The 47 Ronin 7.5 Rating on IMDb
- 1958 (Japanese), The Loyal 47 Ronin" 7.2 Rating on IMDb
- 1962 (Japanese), Chushinguru 7.8 Rating on IMDb
- 1994 (Japanese), 47 Ronin 6.7 Rating on IMDb
- 2013 (English), The Hollywood version with Keanu Reeves and Hiroyuki Sanada, 47 Ronin 6.3 Rating on IMDb
Access
Closest Train Station: Sengakuji
Takanawa 2-11-1
Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0074 Japan
5 min. walk from Sengakuji Station (Asakusa Line or Keikyu Line) or a 20 min. walk from Shinagawa Station (Yamanote Line and many others).
Hotels & Lodging
Recommended
View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Sengakuji.
Hours & Fees
Hours: Apr. - Sep. 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Oct. - Mar. 7:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. | Memorial Hall： Apr. - Sep. 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Oct. - Mar. 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed: Very Rarely, see Official Site
Cost: Free
Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.
Resources
Website: Sengakuji Homepage
