Tokyo, Japan
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Tokyo, Japan
“Tokyo was an origami city folded over and over until something was made of virtually nothing.”
Christopher Barzak, The Love We Share Without Knowing
The Magic of Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan’s busy capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples. The city is filled with art, history and culture magically mixed in with industry and business.
Sengakuji and the 47 Ronin
The Sengakuji temple is famous for its graveyard where the “47 Ronin” (also known as Akoroshi, the “masterless samurai from Ako”) are buried. In March 1701, lord Asano Takuminokami of Ako attacked lord Kira Hozukenosuke at Edo castle. Asano lost patience after repeatedly being provoked but failed to kill him in the attack. He was sentenced to commit seppuku, while Kira was not punished at all, despite the custom of punishing both parties in similar incidents.
After this the Asano family was removed from power, leaving Asano’s samurai with a strong will to avenge their unfairly punished master. On December 14, 1702, 47 ronin under their leader Oishi Kuranosuke succeeded in avenging their master by killing lord Kita in his mansion. Afterwards, they carried Kira’s head to Sengakuji, and were sentenced to commit seppuku.
Photographing Tokyo
Tokyo is a cultural paradise and the people are amazing. Simply walking around the city is all you need to do to find amazing temples, shrines and monuments like the beautiful Sengakuji temple which hides in plain sight. Every corner you turn opens up new and amazing sights thanks to Japans lack of zoning – everything lives in harmony.
