I first heard of the 47 Ronin in one of my histoy classes. Since then I have had heard numerous references to it and the base framework of the story, as well as reading A.B. Mitford's version in Tales of Old Japan. In the last couple of years,I have seen two different movies, one of which was made just before WWII and is almost pure propaganda, and the other from the early 90s. At last I have read a historical account: The Revenge of the 47 Ronin: Edo 1703 (Raid) by Stephen Turnbull. I highly recommend this book from Osprey, as it gives a more balanced take on the actions of the 47 and the role of Kira (their target). Turnbull avoids speculating but instead focuses on the known facts of the incident. Which paints the ronin as not so noble nor following bushido (basically a well plan assassination of Kira), and Kira as not so wicked. In the end, we will probably never know what made Lord Asano attack Kira in the first place thus leading to Lord Asano's seppuku and the reason for the 47 Ronin to seek revenge. ( )