Sengakuji’s Ako Gishi Sai

The story of the 47 ronin is one of Japan’s most celebrated and famous. While in English it is known simply as “The Story of the 47 Ronin,” in Japanese it is referred to as Ako Jiken (“The Ako Incident”), Ako being a domain in Hyogo Prefecture that belonged to the feudal lord Asano Takumi no Kami whose perceived unjust death led to this great tale. December 14, 1702—the night his loyal followers exacted their revenge—has been celebrated at Sengakuji every year since 1903 with a memorial from around 11:00 AM to commemorate the fallen samurai (Ako Gishi).

For visitors, the highlight of the festival is the Gishi Gyoretsu, a memorial parade of participants dressed in traditional warrior attire who process to the temple. The grounds and the specific area around the graves become exceptionally crowded, so arriving well before the 11:00 AM start is necessary to secure a vantage point for the rituals. Because of the high volume of attendees, navigating the incense-filled gravesite to pay respects can take significant time. Most local stalls selling festival food and commemorative charms operate on a cash-only basis. It is advisable to use the nearby Sengakuji Station, as vehicle access to the temple is heavily restricted during the event.