The 47 Ronin Story

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The 47 Ronin story is set in the years 1701 through 1703. This would place it in the Tokugawa era. During this time Japan had been in peace for several generations after the country had been united as one by battles. Major changes occurred during this period due to the times of peace. Some of these changes were the declining samurai class, rising merchant class, and the shifting values that the people of Japan faced. One of the major changes during that time portrayed in the book was the declining samurai class. During the time of the story Japan had been at peace for a while and the fighting samurai class were starting to become redundant, and started to lose the traits that made them samurais. There are a few examples of the presence During this age, the merchant class started to rise due to the long period of peace. Hushido and Ono are both examples of the rising merchant class. Hushido was the owner of the flying crane, and Ono was an Ako ronin who opened a shop after the Ako domain was confiscated, both of them were able to become prosperous in their businesses. Another sign of the high amounts of merchants are the large number of pleasure quarters. In the book, it mentions there are three large pleasure quarters in Kyoto, and each would contain its own geisha houses, restaurants, theater, and other buisinesses, with each one having its own business owners. That is likely the reason why the 47 ronin disguised themselves as merchants when they met at the restaurant before the attack because a large group of merchants meeting would not cause suspicion or worry as a group of that size of ronin. Another example of the rising merchant class featured in this book is when Oishi and his group go to the kabuki theater, they opt for the front seats, which are generally reserved for the merchant class. This shows the type of wealth and influence the merchant class must The reason for this I think is the story tells of the utmost dedication to the bushido. The 47 ronin were so loyal to their lord and the conduct, that they were willing to sacrifice themselves, and even plan and wait strategically to successfully avenge Lord Asano. The 47 ronin story could be considered a teaching point on how people behave and act in Japan for the many generations following the event. Thus, I think the Japanese in the modern day still have this trait great loyalty in their lives, such as loyalty in their

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