忠臣蔵(ちゅうしんぐら)

ちゅうしんぐら
noun (proper)
Chūshingura; the story of the 47 rōnin
proper-nounwork-namehistory
1. Chūshingura (the tale of the 47 rōnin)
The story of the 47 masterless samurai of the Akō domain who in 1702 avenged their lord's forced suicide by killing the official they blamed, and were then ordered to commit suicide themselves. The name comes from the 1748 puppet and kabuki play 仮名手本忠臣蔵(かなでほんちゅうしんぐら), and it now covers all retellings in film, television, and fiction.
年末(ねんまつ)になると忠臣蔵(ちゅうしんぐら)を思(おも)い出(だ)す。
When the end of the year comes, I think of Chūshingura.
祖父(そふ)は忠臣蔵(ちゅうしんぐら)のドラマが大好(だいす)きだ。
My grandfather loves Chūshingura dramas.
忠臣蔵(ちゅうしんぐら)の浪士(ろうし)たちは、雪(ゆき)の夜(よる)に吉良邸(きらてい)に討(う)ち入(い)った。
The rōnin of Chūshingura raided Kira's mansion on a snowy night.

The raid took place on the 14th day of the 12th month, so the story is a traditional year-end staple on television and in theaters. It is the classic Japanese tale of loyalty and revenge.

Common expressions

  • 赤穂浪士(あこうろうし): the Akō rōnin, the historical name for the 47
  • 四十七士(しじゅうしちし): the forty-seven samurai
  • 討(う)ち入(い)り: the raid on 吉良上野介(きらこうずけのすけ)'s mansion
  • 殿中(でんちゅう)でござる: "You are in the palace!" — the cry when their lord drew his sword inside Edo Castle, jokingly used to stop someone losing their temper

Cultural note

The leader 大石内蔵助(おおいしくらのすけ) pretended to live a dissolute life to throw off suspicion before the attack, and his name stands for patient, hidden resolve.

Related Words

Related: 赤穂浪士(あこうろうし) (the 47 rōnin of Akō)
general
Added 2026.9.26 10:22 · Revised 2026.10.10 23:08
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