The Ako Forty-Seven Ronin avenged their lord by killing Kira Kozukenosuke — the Chushingura story. On the 14th, the day of the raid, events are held at Sengakuji in Shinagawa where the ronin rest. The Imperial Household Agency has newly published six related drawings on its website (http://toshoryo.kunaicho.go.jp/) ＝photo upper.
Six items mainly concern the raid. Most striking is the “Map of Kira Kozukenosuke’s Residence,” showing deployment when the ronin surrounded Kira’s mansion (near present Ryogoku, Sumida Ward) on raid day. The east front gate bears the name Oishi Kuranosuke ＝photo right; the west rear gate shows Horibe Yasubei and Kuranosuke’s eldest son Kazutoshi. Names of 42 of the forty-seven are visible; whether five were unknown in placement or omitted in copying is part of the fun.
Also “Statements of Asano Takuminokami’s Retainers, etc.” — from the blade incident in Edo Castle’s Pine Corridor through the raid — essentially depositions. “Map of Oishi Kuranosuke’s Residence” in Ako shows the scale befitting a 1,500-koku chief retainer. “Record of Custody of Ako Ronin” by the Mori clan, who held ten ronin after the raid, includes diagrams of seppuku grounds.
All are later copies of Edo-period manuscripts collected by late-Edo scholars and donated to the imperial family in Meiji.
They are kept at the Toshoryo library of the Imperial Household Archives — very nearby. From Takebashi, climbing toward the Metropolitan Expressway Daikancho entrance, the Archives building faces across Hirakawa moat. The library began publishing 10,000 images and 310,000 catalog entries online in November, featuring monthly gallery selections — Chushingura items from December 2 for about one month. Looking forward to future releases.