Ako Gishi-sai Festival 2024 in Tokyo

The Ako Gishi-sai Festival is held annually at Sengaku-ji Temple in Minato-ku, Tokyo, to honor the 47 loyal retainers of Akoh, renowned figures in Japanese culture often portrayed in movies and dramas. These vassal samurais avenged their master’s death by eliminating his enemy, and their story has become one of Japan’s most famous samurai legends. Each year, Sengaku-ji Temple hosts the “Ako Gishi Sai” festival to commemorate this historic event.

Celebrations

Each year on December 14th, large crowds gather at Sengaku-ji Temple to pay their respects to the heroes and witness the Gishi Gyoretsu—a procession of volunteers dressed as the 47 masterless vassals marching through the streets. The neighborhood becomes bustling with visitors, creating a solemn and respectful atmosphere for the event. Food stalls are set up around the souvenir shops along the narrow street leading to the temple, and attendees arrive early in the morning to participate in the memorial service and watch the parade featuring 46 local residents dressed in the attire of the Ako Gishi.

Schedule of Events

The entire event begins at 11 am with the memorial service, which provides attendees with the unique opportunity to see many Zen priests and monks gathered in one place. Accompanying the priests are the 47 retainers, who dramatically raise their swords and swear their vow of revenge. After this solemn pledge, they leave to fulfill their mission of avenging their master by confronting Kira. They return around 3-3:30 pm to complete the rest of their grim ritual, carrying Kira's head in a cloth bag as part of the ceremony.

History of Ako Gishi-sai Festival

The historical drama unfolded in 1703 when 47 vassal samurais avenged their master's death by killing his enemy. Their leader had been unjustly ordered to commit seppuku, prompting the men to spend over a year plotting their revenge. After successfully executing their plan, they were arrested and also ordered to end their lives honorably. This tale has become legendary, passed down through generations in the form of Joruri (stories and ballads), and adapted into Kabuki films and TV series. The graves of the 47 vassals and their master, who died by harakiri, are located at Sengaku-ji Temple in Minato-ku. The Ako Gishi Memorial Museum established 300 years later, showcases images of the vassals and various artifacts related to this enduring legend.