The Treasury of Loyal Retainers

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The Treasury of Loyal Retainers

Bunraku: August 1748, Osaka Kabuki: December 1748, Osaka

A much-loved piece since its debut 250 years ago, encompassing all the attractions of Kabuki. It is based on an incident within Edo Castle in 1701, when Asano Takuminokami attacked Kira Kozukenosuke with a sword in violation of a law forbidding even the brandishing of a dagger within the castle precincts. Asano was forced to commit ritual suicide and his Ako household in Kyoto disbanded, while Kira got off lightly. One year later, 47 former Ako retainers took their revenge, overcoming various obstacles to break into Kira’s house and kill him. The story has been adapted into kodan storytelling, rakugo, movies, television dramas, comic books and other media on many occasions. But the Kabuki version is unrivaled in popularity and status. During the Edo Period, it was forbidden to recreate actual incidents from samurai society, so authors would often simply reset the time periods, character names and such to medieval Japan. The show is still offered on occasion in full-day performances, though rarely in its original 11-act form.

●main graphic Opening　November 2009　Kabukiza Theatre

●publication date　 November 2013