47 Ronin
The Classic Tale of Samurai Loyalty, Bravery and Retribution
Tuttle Publishing · Print & ebook · August 7, 2018
A classic tale that will captivate lovers of Japan, history, and epic adventure alike.
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- Who it’s for
- A vivid, sustained retelling brings a celebrated Japanese tale into historical context.
- Themes
- Loyalty and honor, Revenge, Courage and cunning
- Pacing
- Steady
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A classic tale that will captivate lovers of Japan, history, and epic adventure alike. Japan's most celebrated tale of chivalry, loyalty and revenge—and the basis for a Hollywood feature film starring Keanu Reaves—47 Ronin is the epic tale of a heroic band of Samurai warriors who defy the Japanese Emperor to avenge the honor of their fallen master. The story begins in 1701 when the noble Lord Asano attacks an official at court.
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His punishment is swift and harsh—the Emperor orders Lord Asano to commit ritual suicide (harikiri). His lands are confiscated, his family exiled, and his Samurai warrior brigade is disbanded—becoming Ronin or masterless, wandering renegades. While appearing to follow the Emperor's instructions, the 47 Ronin plot in secret for many years, biding their time until the moment to strike is right. Like the story of the Knights of the Round Table, the Ronin's deeds became legendary, iconic examples of courage, cunning and loyalty in an age when the Samurai were true heroes and honor was something worth dying for. John Allyn's vivid retelling, with a foreword by scholar and film advisor, Stephen Turnbull, presents this epic of Japanese literature in its correct historical context.
Honor and Retribution
A vivid, sustained retelling brings a celebrated Japanese tale into historical context.
Come here for
- Samurai stories shaped by loyalty and retribution
- A celebrated work of Japanese literature
Expect
- Patient plotting and a sustained narrative
- Courage, cunning, and loyalty at the center
Where it sits
| Historical Fiction | 88% |
|---|---|
| The Classics | 46% |
| Action & Adventure | 44% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Family Sagas
- Fairy Tales & Myths
- Japanese Literary Collections
- Authors
- John Allyn
- Publisher
- Tuttle Publishing
- Published
- August 7, 2018
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Loyalty and honor · Revenge · Courage and cunning
- Reading lane
- Family Sagas