Kon Ichikawa's 47 Ronin (DVD) (US Version) DVD Region 1

The tale of the 47 Ronin is probably the most celebrated in samurai folklore, having been recounted and romanticized through plays, novels, television, and film over the last three centuries. The story dates back to the early 1700s, when Asano Naganori, Lord of Ako, was called to Edo to receive imperial envoys. The young Asano was to be assisted in the matters of court etiquette by high official Kira Yoshinaka, but the two had a falling out, allegedly because Asano failed to present adequate gifts to Kira. After repeated public humiliation from the elderly official, Asano drew his sword against him, a crime for which Asano was ordered to commit seppuku. Of Asano's retainers, all of whom became "ronin" or masterless samurai, forty-seven slowly bided their time until all guards were down, and stormed Kira's castle a year later to avenge their lord's death. Sentenced to seppuku, the forty-seven ronin were anointed as heroes for their loyalty, bravery, and adherence to the bushido ethic.

This famous tale has been retold on the big screen numerous times, most notably in Mizoguchi Kenji's 1941 classic and in Inagaki Hiroshi's 1961 version featuring Mifune Toshiro. In 1994, Toho studios especially commissioned 47 Ronin to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the invention of film, with master director Ichikawa Kon at the helm and iconic actor Takakura Ken as the leader of the ronin. Beautifully shot and poetically told, Ichikawa's 47 Ronin is a classic in its own right, receiving eleven nominations and four awards at the 1995 Japan Academy Awards.

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Product Title:	Kon Ichikawa's 47 Ronin (DVD) (US Version) 四十七人之剌客 (DVD) (美國版) 四十七人之剌客 (DVD) (美国版) 四十七人の刺客 (DVD) (US版) Kon Ichikawa's 47 Ronin (DVD) (US Version)
Artist Name(s):	Takakura Ken (Actor) | Ishizaka Koji (Actor) | Morishige Hisaya (Actor) | Asaoka Ruriko (Actor) 高倉健 (Actor) | 石板浩二 (Actor) | Morishige Hisaya (Actor) | Asaoka Ruriko (Actor) 高仓 健 (Actor) | 石板浩二 (Actor) | Morishige Hisaya (Actor) | Asaoka Ruriko (Actor) 高倉健 (Actor) | 石坂浩二 (Actor) | 森繁久彌 (Actor) | 浅丘ルリ子 (Actor) Takakura Ken (Actor) | Ishizaka Koji (Actor) | Morishige Hisaya (Actor) | Asaoka Ruriko (Actor)
Director:	Kon Ichikawa 市川崑 市川昆 市川崑 Kon Ichikawa
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Release Date:	2007-07-17
UPC Code:	737187011887
Language:	Japanese
Subtitles:	English
Country of Origin:	Japan
Picture Format:	NTSC What is it?
Aspect Ratio:	1.33 : 1
Sound Information:	Dolby Digital
Disc Format(s):	DVD
Region Code:	1 - USA, Canada, U.S. Territories What is it?
Rating:	Unrated
Duration:	129 (mins)
Publisher:	Animeigo
Package Weight:	100 (g)
Shipment Unit:	1 What is it?
YesAsia Catalog No.:	1004892132

* Screen Format: 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen
* Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
* DVD Type: DVD-9

Directors: Kon Ichikawa

The tale of the 47 Ronin (chushingura) is the classic true story of samurai honor. In the year 1701, a young clan lord is forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) after being provoked into striking a court official. His loyal followers, now "ronin" (masterless samurai), dedicate their lives to avenging him. After spending a year patiently planning their vengeance, and waiting for their target to relax his guard, they launch a furious assault on his heavily defended estate, knowing full well that the penalty for failure will be the same as the reward for success - they will join their master in death!

This TRUE story is so beloved in Japan that it has been the subject of over 80 films, as well as many books, graphic novels and TV series. Now master director Kon ICHIKAWA presents his own unique vision of this timeless epic of loyalty, honor, and vengeance, and gives us a compelling vision of what it truly means to be a Samurai.

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