Review Detail
4.5 1 0.5
Religious Sites, Cemeteries
Monument to the 47 Ronin
(Updated: October 25, 2021)
Rating
4.5
Sengaku-ji Temple is dedicated to honoring the souls of the 47 Ronin (literally, "wave people") who were masterless samurai after their lord had been sentenced to death by ritual suicide. These warriors waited several years to launch their revenge against the person they blamed for their lord's wrongful death.
After avenging their lord by taking the enemy's head, they were likewise sentenced to ritual suicide. They knew that would likely be the outcome of their deed. So they are honored for their loyalty to their lord and his family by taking this path which would end in their own deaths.
The temple itself is not out of the ordinary, but the story behind it is. It is for this reason that people visit to pay their respects to these fallen warriors. I would suggest that if you don't know the story in its entirety, that you learn more about it before your visit. There are many famous movies made about this historic incident. Try to view one if possible.
For most foreign visitors, this temple will not be on your must-see list. But if you live in Tokyo or are staying nearby (Meguro, Gotanda, Shinagawa, etc.) you might like to check it out.
After avenging their lord by taking the enemy's head, they were likewise sentenced to ritual suicide. They knew that would likely be the outcome of their deed. So they are honored for their loyalty to their lord and his family by taking this path which would end in their own deaths.
The temple itself is not out of the ordinary, but the story behind it is. It is for this reason that people visit to pay their respects to these fallen warriors. I would suggest that if you don't know the story in its entirety, that you learn more about it before your visit. There are many famous movies made about this historic incident. Try to view one if possible.
For most foreign visitors, this temple will not be on your must-see list. But if you live in Tokyo or are staying nearby (Meguro, Gotanda, Shinagawa, etc.) you might like to check it out.
