Changes

Some have claimed the Dokai Koshuki as an unbiased source. But is it truly unbiased?  One must critically examine the agendas of a government that would issue such a report – could there possibly be motives in unduly criticizing some of the various daimyo that may have been viewed as dangerous to the centralized bakufu authorities?  There is an incongruity here, with the actions that have been recently claimed to be so unjustified being celebrated as heroic deeds for over 250 years.  Has the majority of an entire nation been taken in by a series of propagandistic hoaxes?  

Some have claimed the Dokai Koshuki as an unbiased source. But is it truly unbiased?  One must critically examine the agendas of a government that would issue such a report – could there possibly be motives in unduly criticizing some of the various daimyo that may have been viewed as dangerous to the centralized bakufu authorities?  There is an incongruity here, with the actions that have been recently claimed to be so unjustified being celebrated as heroic deeds for over 250 years.  Has the majority of an entire nation been taken in by a series of propagandistic hoaxes?  

The question does arise: would the writers of the Dokai Koshuki have motive to impugn the character of Lord Asano Naganori and his retainers – and if so, why? A possible motive may have been that the Asanos ruled over a tozama or “outside” fief, holding no hereditery ties to the Tokugawa Shogunate.  Because Ako was an “outside” fief, it would serve bakufu interests to downgrade the character and performance of its daimyo; this would be a way to discredit the ruling family to possibly prepare for a lessening or outright confiscation of the fief.   

The question does arise: would the writers of the Dokai Koshuki have motive to impugn the character of Lord Asano Naganori and his retainers – and if so, why? A possible motive may have been that the Asanos ruled over a [[tozama]] or “outside” fief, holding no hereditery ties to the Tokugawa Shogunate.  Because Ako was an “outside” fief, it would serve bakufu interests to downgrade the character and performance of its daimyo; this would be a way to discredit the ruling family to possibly prepare for a lessening or outright confiscation of the fief.   

An extended discussion of the events, justification, and accuracy of scholarship concerning the issues surrounding the Ako ronin’s attack is beyond the scope of this article. However, some speculations do arise in examining Fuwa Kazuemon’s life. He was dismissed by Asano Naganori; over the course of 4-5 years, he failed to win reinstatement and thus was consigned to the marginal existence of a discharged ronin.  So why would he be loyal to the man who has thrust him aside? One would think that Fuwa would be more likely to want to offer his services as a hired swordsman to those on Kira’s side, in resentment toward the daimyo who had cast him off.  Instead, Fuwa persisted in trying to help out his former lord’s cause, even when repeatedly rebuffed.  His persistance and eventual success in joining the group of Ako ronin for the attack, and his prowess shown during the attack, show remarkable loyalty and attachment toward his former lord, despite his dismissal from the clan.  Whether this loyalty is unusual or typical of the 47 Ako ronin is an issue that can be studied further in other venues.  

An extended discussion of the events, justification, and accuracy of scholarship concerning the issues surrounding the Ako ronin’s attack is beyond the scope of this article. However, some speculations do arise in examining Fuwa Kazuemon’s life. He was dismissed by Asano Naganori; over the course of 4-5 years, he failed to win reinstatement and thus was consigned to the marginal existence of a discharged ronin.  So why would he be loyal to the man who has thrust him aside? One would think that Fuwa would be more likely to want to offer his services as a hired swordsman to those on Kira’s side, in resentment toward the daimyo who had cast him off.  Instead, Fuwa persisted in trying to help out his former lord’s cause, even when repeatedly rebuffed.  His persistance and eventual success in joining the group of Ako ronin for the attack, and his prowess shown during the attack, show remarkable loyalty and attachment toward his former lord, despite his dismissal from the clan.  Whether this loyalty is unusual or typical of the 47 Ako ronin is an issue that can be studied further in other venues.