Ako

We went on a day trip to Ako Castle. Ako Castle was built by Lord Asano taking 13 years to complete it. The Castle grounds have different areas your can walk though. One area is the Ako Oishi Shrine. The castle is associated with the story of the 47 Ronin (masterless samurai). After being left masterless they sought to avenge their master's death. Another Lord, Lord Kira, had publicly humiliated their lord, leading to their lord's suicide. The 47 ronin then spent a year and a half plotting their revenge. After successfully acquiring their revenge by killing Lord Kira, the ronin were sentenced to seppuku (ritual suicide). There are now stone statues of the 47 ronin at the entrance of the Ako Oishi Shrine.

                                           

On our way back to the station, we saw a well. They had speakers surrounding the well alternating automatically between Japanese and English. The well is where the 47 ronin stopped for a drink and etched a poem on some nearby pillars before continuing to avenge their Lord. This is a classic tale loved by Japanese people. I had not heard about it before visiting Ako. It is a captivating story of loyalty and revenge.