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Sengakuji: The Graves of the 47 Ronin and Japan's Greatest Tale of Loyalty
Founded in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, Sengakuji Temple is famous throughout Japan as the burial site of Lord Asano Naganori and the 47 retainers who avenged his death in 1702. The December 14 Gishi Festival, the Ako Gishi Memorial Museum, and the Well of Head-Washing attract thousands of visitors annually.
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Author
Hijiri
| Shrines & Temples
Contents
MOKUJI
一
Founding and the Asano Connection
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二
Highlights of the Temple Grounds
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三
The Gishi Festival and Chushingura Culture
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四
Visitor's Guide
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五
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sengakuji (formally Banshōzan Sengakuji) is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple founded in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, who invited the renowned monk Mon’an Sōkan as its founding abbot. It is celebrated across Japan as the burial site of Lord Asano Naganori and the 47 retainers who avenged his death — the event known as the Ako Incident, or Chushingura (Treasury of Loyal Retainers). The incense at these graves has never stopped burning for over 300 years.
Founding and the Asano Connection
From Outer Sakurada to Takanawa
The temple was originally built in Outer Sakurada (near present-day Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda Ward). After it burned down in 1641, three great lords’ reconstruction teams — including the Asano clan — rebuilt it at its current Takanawa location by order of the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. This connection between the Asano clan and Sengakuji set the stage for the temple’s immortal role in Japanese history.
The Ako Incident — Timeline of the Greatest Vendetta
Date
Event
March 14, 1701
Lord Asano attacks Kira Kozuke-no-Suke in Edo Castle corridor; ordered to commit seppuku; Ako domain dissolved
December 14, 1702 (before dawn)
Oishi Kuranosuke leads 47 retainers in night raid on Kira’s Edo mansion
After the raid
Retainers carry Kira’s severed head to Sengakuji, reporting to their late lord’s grave
February 4, 1703
All 47 retainers ordered to commit seppuku; interred at Sengakuji alongside Lord Asano
Lord Asano received a death sentence for drawing his sword inside Edo Castle, while Kira received no punishment at all. The perceived injustice of this asymmetric ruling compelled chief retainer Oishi Kuranosuke and 46 companions to spend over a year in preparation before executing their assault on Kira’s mansion.
Highlights of the Temple Grounds
The Graves of the 47 Retainers
Proceeding along the approach from the main gate leads to the graves of Lord Asano and the 47 retainers standing in orderly rows. Incense burners are set before the graves, and visitors traditionally offer incense (available near the main gate for about ¥100) to pay their respects. Oishi Kuranosuke’s grave stands out as the largest. The air around the graves is permanently scented with incense.
Three Historical Relics
"The Blood-Stained Stone" is said to bear blood from Lord Asano’s seppuku. “The Blood-Stained Plum Tree” is said to have been transplanted from the Asano residence. “The Well of Head-Washing” marks where the retainers purified Kira’s head before presenting it at their lord’s grave — a dramatic scene from the events of that December night. A bronze statue of Oishi Kuranosuke in full battle dress stands in the precinct, welcoming visitors.
Ako Gishi Memorial Museum
To the left of the approach, the Ako Gishi Memorial Museum (admission ¥500; 9:00–16:00; closed Mondays) exhibits documents, personal effects, armor, and weapons connected with the 47 retainers. Explanatory panels trace the full story of the Ako Incident; visiting here alongside the graves completes the experience. See Sengakuji spot details for visiting hours.
The Gishi Festival and Chushingura Culture
December 14 — The Annual Gishi Festival
Every December 14, the Gishi-sai festival draws Chushingura enthusiasts from across Japan. The highlight is the Gishi Procession — participants dressed as the 47 retainers in period costume march through the surrounding streets before arriving at the temple. Memorial services are held at the graves, and the precinct fills with incense smoke and visitors.
300 Years of Theater, Film, and Television
The Ako Incident was dramatized as “Kanadehon Chushingura,” one of Japan’s three greatest kabuki plays, and has been adapted into countless films and TV dramas. Internationally the story is known as “47 Ronin.” Rather than a simple tale of loyalty, the event raises enduring questions about private vengeance versus public law — a moral debate that continues from the Edo period to the present.
Visitor’s Guide
The nearest station is Sengakuji on the Toei Asakusa Line (1-minute walk from Exit A2). JR Shinagawa Station is a 15-minute walk. Admission is free (precinct open 6:00–18:00). Offering incense at the graves is the traditional practice. The temple also offers zazen meditation (second Sunday of each month, 6:00 AM) and calligraphy sutra copying for general visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the retainers called “ronin” (浪士)?
When Lord Asano was ordered to commit seppuku and the Ako domain was dissolved, his samurai retainers lost their lord and became ronin — samurai without a lord. After carrying out their vendetta they are still called the “47 Ronin,” though their loyalty earns them the honorific title Ako Gishi (Loyal Retainers of Ako).
What time does the Gishi Festival begin on December 14?
Memorial services begin around 11:00 AM on December 14. The Gishi Procession departs from the surrounding shopping street and arrives at the temple in the afternoon. Arrive early to secure a good viewing position in the crowded precinct.
What does the Ako Gishi Memorial Museum display?
The museum shows the 47 retainers’ personal effects (helmets, armor, letters), weapons used in the raid, Oishi Kuranosuke’s handwritten correspondence, and documentary panels explaining the Ako Incident. Essential context for understanding the graves and the story.
What happened to Kira’s severed head?
After the retainers presented it at Lord Asano’s grave, they turned themselves in to the authorities. The head was later returned to the Kira family and is said to have been interred at Manshoin Koun-ji temple in Taito Ward, Tokyo.
Can anyone participate in zazen or sutra copying?
Yes — both activities are open to the general public. Zazen is held on the second Sunday of each month at 6:00 AM. Sutra copying is available on request. Check the temple’s official website for current schedules.
Last updated: April 25, 2026
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Author
Hijiri（ひじり）
Shrines & Temples
Toku editorial team — shrines and temples. Former designer who reads temple architecture and gardens through an aesthetic lens, quietly tracing the lineages of sects and doctrines.
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