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The Dokai Koshuki is far from the only document showing Asano and his retainers in a poor light. A scholar and contemporary of Asano, [[Sato Naokata]], notes that attacking a man ([[Kira Yoshinaka]]) engaged in discussion from behind and not succeeding in killing him showed ‘neither courage nor ability’. Further, in an amusing sidenote, he states if Asano had wanted to kill Kira, he should have done so after the completetion of official duties. A popular street song circulating after the attack on Kira in the Shogun’s castle also mocked Asano for his lack of sword skills (a lack of skill which seemed to also apply to his retainers). Asano’s assault was seen by the [[bakufu]] and Shogun not as a quarrel between samurai (where both would be punished) but as unilateral misconduct on his part.  

The Dokai Koshuki is far from the only document showing Asano and his retainers in a poor light. A scholar and contemporary of Asano, [[Sato Naokata]], notes that attacking a man ([[Kira Yoshinaka]]) engaged in discussion from behind and not succeeding in killing him showed ‘neither courage nor ability’. Further, in an amusing sidenote, he states if Asano had wanted to kill Kira, he should have done so after the completetion of official duties. A popular street song circulating after the attack on Kira in the Shogun’s castle also mocked Asano for his lack of sword skills (a lack of skill which seemed to also apply to his retainers). Asano’s assault was seen by the [[bakufu]] and Shogun not as a quarrel between samurai (where both would be punished) but as unilateral misconduct on his part.  

Asano knew well the penalties for "spilling blood on a ritual occasion" -his own uncle, [[Naito Tadakatsu|Naito Izumi no Kami Tadakatsu]] was relieved of his life and domain when he killed another daimyo on temple grounds during the funeral rites for the fourth Shogun, also shouting out that the assault was revenge for an earlier insult. It seems this type of irrational, selfish behavior ran in the family. Asano also saw the results of this type of behavior on family members and retainers when he acted as the bakufu’s agent when confiscating a fief ([[Matsuyama castle-Bitchu|Matsuyama castle]] in Bitchu) a few years earlier. Obviously, Asano gave no thought to the repercussions of his actions when assaulting Kira.  

[[Image:Asano Edo.jpg|left|thumb|Asano's failed assault on Kira in Edo Castle]]Asano knew well the penalties for "spilling blood on a ritual occasion" -his own uncle, [[Naito Tadakatsu|Naito Izumi no Kami Tadakatsu]] was relieved of his life and domain when he killed another daimyo on temple grounds during the funeral rites for the fourth Shogun, also shouting out that the assault was revenge for an earlier insult. It seems this type of irrational, selfish behavior ran in the family. Asano also saw the results of this type of behavior on family members and retainers when he acted as the bakufu’s agent when confiscating a fief ([[Matsuyama castle-Bitchu|Matsuyama castle]] in Bitchu) a few years earlier. Obviously, Asano gave no thought to the repercussions of his actions when assaulting Kira.  

Overall, the picture drawn of Asano is that of a man who enjoyed his postion of prestige and wealth and was used to getting his way in all matters and indulging his every whim. In this he was not all that different from many of his elite peers, but when combined with a lack of training and self control became deadly. His cowardly attack on Kira (who in all likelihood had only chastised him for his lack of attention in learning Shogunal protocol-Asano's tendency to be completely disinterested in this sort of thing was well established) showed that he was impulsive and rash, not giving one thought to the consequences of his act to his retainers or subjects.

Overall, the picture drawn of Asano is that of a man who enjoyed his postion of prestige and wealth and was used to getting his way in all matters and indulging his every whim. In this he was not all that different from many of his elite peers, but when combined with a lack of training and self control became deadly. His cowardly attack on Kira (who in all likelihood had only chastised him for his lack of attention in learning Shogunal protocol-Asano's tendency to be completely disinterested in this sort of thing was well established) showed that he was impulsive and rash, not giving one thought to the consequences of his act to his retainers or subjects.