This is a review of a 1963 Japanese movie that is based upon actual events taking place in Japan during the period between 1701 and 1703; this was in the Tokugawa shogunate regime (1600–1868). The events that form the legend of the 47 Ronin is familiar to every student of Japanese history.

By contemporary standards, the actions of Japanese samurai centuries in the past seem brutal and odd. But in that time, the actions of these masterless samurai were heroic, representing the best of their race and a shining example of bushido, the way of honor.  Originally, there had been 59 ronin, but some were sent home by their leader to take care of their families.

Details of this event are better described in other places, but the revenge attack by the 47 was the most exciting news to hit the country in a long time and was perpetuated for centuries afterward in an 11-act kabuki play, which must have been an all day affair.  Even at 3 ½ hours, this film has been “cut down”. The Tale of the 47 is as well known as Washington Crossing the Delaware. So much so that in post-war Japan, reenactment of the Tale of the 47 Ronin was forbidden by the occupation military government as being likely to incite unacceptable popular sentiment.

This prohibition was most likely at the direction of Faubian Bowers, aide-de-camp to General MacArthur.  Bowers was an expert in Japanese language and culture, and familiar with kabuki.  He also was one of the translators of the captured Japanese military document called the “Z Plan”, which directed all out military & civilian resistance to Allied Forces on the Marianas.  So, the prohibition of enactment of the Tale of the 47 was not without a source of concern. The fact that this movie was made is also an indication that those post-war concerns were fading.

Toshiro Mifune is generally given top-billing, but his role in this movie is a smaller one. More prominent and perhaps better known to westerners would be the prolific Frankie Sakai, who earlier starred in the stinker “Mothra”. Years later, he would again star with Mifune in the TV mini-series “Shogun”, with Mifune acting the role of Torunaga, a role based upon the real shogun Ieyasu.  Sakai would play the role of Lord Yabu, a real scenery chewer.

In all, this movie is deliberate and perhaps a bit hasty at the end, but it otherwise clearly shows the circumstances of the event. For those who are into this sort of thing, the power of the 47 Retainers is such that Tamiya, a Japanese plastic model company, produced a series of figure kits that recreate all of the characters in this saga. The 47 are honored at a site at Chushingura, in modern day Tokyo. They are regarded as great cultural heroes, exemplifying the Japanese virtue of loyalty.