The Fall of Ako Castle

This utterly absorbing retelling of the 47 Ronin might clock in a whopping 160 minutes, but it’s worth every second! Director Kinji Fukasaku’s 1978 version of the historic event charters every detail and as one can expect, flawless performances make this a cinematic tour-de-force which can now be enjoyed at home thanks to the movie’s HD Blu-ray release.

The events begin in 1701 under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate – responsible for governing a realm of fiefdoms, which in turn are overseen by feudal lords who are allocated one fiefdom each. However, when a total of forty-eight clan houses fell under the rule of the fifth shogun, the outcome was brutal: thousands of samurai lost their masters and thus their official status. Overnight, they became so-called Ronin – free agents so to speak. We then find ourselves in Edo Castle, were officials in impossibly long trousers (so long they drag along the floor and provide a challenge for anyone wearing them not to topple over) prepare for the arrival of some very important envoys, to be precise, they are the envoys of Emperor Higashiyama. Despite their humiliation, the Ronin assemble outside the castle as part of the ceremonial reception while inside the castle, Lord Asano Naganori (Teruhiko Saigo) of Ako Castle (about a four day’s journey from Edo) has received an invitation by the considerably older Lord Kira Yoshinka (Nobuo Kaneko) to assist in the final arrangements. Whether it is due to his higher status or whether it is due to his arrogance, Kira seems to take great pleasure in belittling and patronising Asano in front of the others… until Asano snaps and attacks Kira with his dagger. As it turns out, the dagger is too short to kill Kira, who survives the attack wounded, much to the dismay of Asano. During the hearing, it becomes crystal clear that both men broke the samurai code – Kira by insulting a fellow lord and Asano by attacking Kira. After both men are interrogated, Kira lies that Asano attacked him without provocation though some witnesses know otherwise. Still, because of Kira’s status and age, he does not receive any punishment whereas Asano is ordered to commit seppuku (a ritual suicide better known under its Western name hara kiri). To add insult to injury, Asano’s entire clan, including his brother Asano Daigaku (Ken Nishida) are henceforth forbidden to use the Asano name and their land and assets are seized by the shogunate. Asano’s wife, after learning of her husband’s forced suicide, cuts off her hair and plans to retreat into a nunnery.


Everyone in Ako Castle is enraged upon hearing the news, as they know that their Lord Asano has been the victim of a cruel injustice. Meanwhile, head samurai Oishi Kuranosuke (Kinnosuke Nakamura) tries to persuade his fellow ronin and other members of the late Asano’s clan, who understandably want nothing else but bloody revenge, to exercise patience… Oishi has a plan for taking revenge of course, but that revenge won’t come until one-and-a-half years later. While the others aren’t happy about the delay and some of the assembled 47 ronin or ‘retainers’ as they are referred to, go rogue when still nothing has happened several months later, slowly but surely at least we, the viewer, realise that there is method in Oishi’s apparent madness. Already having ordered his ronin and their families to vacate Ako Castle (after they all signed a declaration of allegiance), the ronin lead perfectly normal lives while Oishi, who divorces his wife, suddenly seems to prefer a lifestyle of utter debauchery. Rest assured, it’s all part of Oishi’s plan because he wants Kira and his bodyguards to think that the 47 ronin are useless… so that Kira and his men eventually will lower their guard. Which is precisely when Oishi and his men will strike. Just so he can be sure that moment has arrived, Oishi keeps in close contact with Fuwa Masatane (Sonny Chiba), one of his ronin who disguises himself as a peasant. His job is to ensure that Kira’s many spies and assassins are exposed before they can get to Oishi. When the moment for Oishi and his ronin finally arrives, it makes for one of the most compelling yet underplayed showdowns in Japanese cinema and a truly harrowing ending – it’s an ending that would elevate the 47 ronin to folk heroes and the stuff of legend.

Many plays and film versions have told (and re-told) this well-known historical event and this version – a story of undisputed loyalty and obedience - must rank among the finest, also starring the great Toshiro Mifune. If you ever happen to visit Japan, the graves of the 47 ronin can be visited at the Buddhist temple of Segaku-ji in the Takanawa neighbourhood of Minato near Tokyo.

Bonus material includes optional English subtitles, an insightful new interview with Asian film expert Tony Rayns, a new video essay by author/critic Jasper Sharp, reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork, plus Collector’s booklet. The first 2000 copies are presented in an O-card slipcase.