What is 38 samurai?

The 38 samurai, also known as the Akō rōshi, were a group of samurai from the Akō domain (present-day Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan) who avenged the death of their lord by attacking and killing the corrupt court official who was responsible. This event is known as the Akō incident or the revenge of the 47 rōnin, as the samurai were initially a group of 47, but three were pardoned before the attack.

The story of the 38 samurai is one of the most famous and enduring tales of loyalty and revenge in Japanese history, and has been adapted into countless books, plays, films, and other works of art. The tale has come to symbolize the samurai code of honor, the importance of loyalty and revenge, and the enduring legacy of Bushido, the warrior way of life.

The 38 samurai were ultimately captured and ordered to commit seppuku, a form of ritual suicide. Their act of revenge garnered national attention and they became revered as heroes, with their memory celebrated every year on December 14th, the anniversary of the attack.