47 Ronin Festival - Ako Gishi-sai Yamashina Kyoto 山科義士まつり

47 Ronin Festival in Yamashina, Kyoto. The 47 Ronin story is one of the most famous stories in Japan inspiring kabuki plays, movies, novels, TV dramas, and documentaries. On December 14, 1702 47 masterless samurai killed their late master's enemy. Though lauded for adhering to the code of bushido they were required to die but were granted the honor of seppuku (ritual suicide).

The ronin had been watched by spies especially their leader Oishi Kuranosuke. To throw them off, Oishi moved to Yamashina near Kyoto and lived a carefree life of women, wine, and song. When the spies' guard dropped Oishi stole away to Edo (Tokyo) and enacted his revenge.

This connection with the 47 Ronin is the origin of the Ako Gishi-sai Festival in Yamashina which takes place on December 14 starting from Bishamondo Temple and ending at Oishi Shrine. At a nearby theater they re-enact scenes from the story.

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