Lecture: The Problem of the 47th Rônin: A New Look at the Akô Incident and the Chûshingura Legend

One of the most intriguing aspects of the famous story of the 47 Rônin is the role of the lowest-ranking member of the group, Terasaka Kichiemon. His name appeared on the list of the forty-seven who signed the manifesto left at the mansion of Kira Kozuke-no-suke when they attacked it on a winter day in late 1702. But he disappeared sometime before the other forty-six rônin turned themselves into the authorities later the same morning. While the 46 were executed by seppuku two months later, Terasaka lived on another forty-five years to the age of 82.

What happened to Terasaka? Did he flee the scene of the attack from cowardice, or was he sent on a secret mission to carry the news to

Co-sponsored by the Ukiyo-e Society of America, Inc