The 47 Ronin Response Essay Example

to death in reparation for his lack of respect for humanness and altruism, core tenets of Confucianism. Another important virtue of Confucianism is Filial Piety; filial piety is respect for one’s parents and ancestors, and it is an ideal to be held above all else. Whether it is Lord Asano’s daughter fighting to control her emotions or Oishi wrestling with which course of action is best, filial piety is the most important and salient Confucian virtue explored in The 47 Ronin.

The social hierarchy of Confucianism is also delved into; a fairly inconspicuous hierarchal dispute occurs when Oishi is attempting to gain entrance into a Kabuki theater. In order to make room for Oishi and his fellow Ronin, four merchants, being in the lowest social ranking, are evicted from their box. While referred to far less often than Bushido and Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism both have roles in the 47 Ronin. Taoism’s three jewels, compassion, moderation, and humility, comprise its basic virtues. Of the three virtues, moderation is the one most appreciated by Oishi.

To fool his enemies, Oishi allows himself to succumb to the “softening effect” of the geisha and alcohol; it is during this time of gallivanting when Oishi if in his most abnormal state. In direct contrast to the teachings he was raised upon, Oishi “had no more thought for his reputation than the street beggar. ”(pg. 131) Buddhism is most often alluded to in reference to the life preservation laws that are applied to animals. As a result of these life preservation laws, “foxes, badgers, birds, and insects [run] rampant”(pg. 0) in the fields of helpless farmers, and “horsemanship

[becomes] a lost art because the horses’ hooves [can] not be pared or their manes clipped…”. (pg. 11)

These life preservations laws are instated due to the most superstitious example of Buddhism in the 47 Ronin. After losing a child, the Shogun is convinced by his priest that “he must atone for some sin committed in a previous life”. (pg. 11) In penance, the Shogun expressly forbids the killing of animals. More than just a classic novel of revenge and loyalty, John Allyn’s The 47 Ronin allows on to be immersed in the culture of Japan during the eighteenth century.