THE FORTY-SEVEN RONIN STORY. Rutland, Vermont, Tokyo, Japan: Charles E. Tuttle Company, [1970]. Octavo, cloth. First edition. "The revenge of the forty-seven r nin ... is a historical eighteenth-century event in Japan in which a band of r nin (leaderless samurai) avenged the death of their master. The incident has since become legendary ... The story tells of a group of samurai who were left leaderless after their daimy (feudal lord) Asano Naganori was compelled to perform seppuku (ritual suicide) for assaulting a powerful court official named Kira Yoshinaka. After waiting and planning for a year, the r nin avenged their master's honor by killing Kira. They were then obliged to commit seppuku for the crime of murder. This true story was popularized in Japanese culture as emblematic of the loyalty, sacrifice, persistence, and honor that people should display in their daily lives. The popularity of the tale grew during the Meiji era, during which Japan underwent rapid modernization, and the legend became entrenched within discourses of national heritage and identity" (Wikipedia). A fine copy in fine dust jacket. (#167850).
Price: $100.00
"First printing, 1970" on copyright page.