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The Loyal 47 Retainers
In March 1701 the era of Japan's great civil wars has been over for a century, but the samurai warrior class lingers on. The new young lord, Asano (Yuzo Kayama), from the fierce country domain of Ako gracefully accepts his initiation into state duties in the capital of Edo. But the old Grand Master of Ceremonies, Kira (Chusha Ichikawa), betrays him when Lord Asano refused to bribe him for his advice on official etiquette. Enraged and humiliated by Kira's merciless greed. Asano draws his sword in the Shogun's palace, a capital offense. Kira suffers only a slight wound, but gloats over the mock trial that condemns Asano to ritual harakiri suicide. Ako's lands are assigned to a new lord, and its warriors become ronin, masterless samurai, with nowhere to go and no ancestral lord to serve. The outrage lives on in their hearts, but they are forbidden to act, under pain | | | |
