47 Ronin (Tuttle Classics)

Now a major motion picture starring Keanu Reeves!

47 Ronin is the unforgettable tale of a band of samurai who defied the Emperor to avenge the disgrace and death of their master, and faced certain death as a result. This set off a chain of events that led to one of the bloodiest episodes in Japanese history. In the process, it also created a new set of heroes in Japan.

After being goaded into attacking a corrupt official at the Japanese Court, the Lord Asano is ordered to commit seppuku, or ritual suicide. His lands are confiscated and his family is dishonored and exiled. His samurai now become ronin, or masterless, and are dispersed. Rather than accepting their fate, the Ronin spent many months making careful plans for revenge, biding their time until the moment to strike was right! Their deeds became Japan's most celebrated example of bravery, cunning, and loyalty in an age when samurai were heroes, and honor was worth dying for.

John Allyn does a masterful job of presenting 47 Ronin as a compelling and suspenseful tale—one that will appeal to fans of the December 2013 film starring Keanu Reeves.