Object of the Study Approach of the Study

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CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS

In this chapter the writer features the analysis on the two formulated problems. The analysis done at each subchapter is based on the various relevant theories as provided in the theoretical review. The chapter consists of two subchapters, each corresponding to the first, and the second problem formulations. The first one is the characterization of Oishi Kuranosuke. The second one is called, the description of the Bushido principle of loyalty, self control, and honor as reflected in Oishi K uranosuke‟s characterization.

A. The Characterization of Oishi Kuranosuke in The 47 Ronin Story

Oishi Kuranosuke was the chief retainer of the Asano clan. He lived during the feudal era of Japan in the 18 th century. Physical-wise, Kuranosuke is identified in this quote of The 47 Ronin Story as a ..his early forties in an air of quiet authority. His common daily attire explicitly defined his job as a samurai, a warrior class in feudal Japan. His topknot pleated hakama skirt, and two swords identified him as a samurai Allyn 1970: 9. Hence the descriptions feature of his appearance and job. The physical appearance sometimes indicates someone‟s virtues. From that quote, Oishi Kuranosuke wore hakama as his outfit. Hakama was an honorable kimono of military class, while the peasants wore cheap cotton. It was made of silk. It showed that Oishi Kuranosuke as the samurai was belong to higher class. Moreover, the relationship between samurai and the sword was delivered here. Samurai was always equipped with two kinds of swords. One was short and dagger like. The other was a long two handed killing sword. Katana was the killing sword. Wakizhashi was the dagger for suicide. Beside the functions, swords of samurai also described as his souls, the reminder of bushido, the honor, and the ability to control him. The samurai must live with swords, or he must die when he lose swords. The pride of having two swords was still relevant although the samurai became masterless. The Asano clan served by Kuranosuke was a prominent family among several strong families serving under the rule of Shogun Tsunayoshi Tokugawa. The head of the family, called Lord Asano, was “the Daimyo of the Province of Ako, still boyishly good-looking at thirty-five Allyn, 1970:16. ” The 47 Ronin Story, tells a tale of Kuranosuke‟s endeavor of vengeance upon the death of this beloved and respected master of his. It was his admirable way to respond to the problem that beca me the study‟s focus of the discussion. His loyalty to his deceased Lord Asano had given him the very purpose to properly finish his service. His self control kept him from making bad decisions while struggling in patience and perseverance. And those qualities allowed him to keep the honor of a samurai, the honor of a servant, loyal only to the value of truth erected by the head of the family that he served. These three Bushido qualities displayed by Kuranosuke were discussed further in the third and the last part of the analysis; loyalty, self-control, and honor of Bushido through the characteristics of Oishi Kuranosuke. This part would discuss Kuranosuke‟s role in his family, his working society; among his colleagues and his relationship with his master, Lord Asano. Oishi Kuranosuke, called as one of the samurai of Ako, was capable in following the warrior way, Bushido as the combination of Zen, Confucianism, and Budhism. As it is said: “His lessons had been given in this very room and he could hear old Yamaga Soko‟s warnings that the times were getting soft and that the strict observance of Confucian ethics was being undermined by the preachers of “new Confucianism” who were beginning to infest the court” Allyn, 1970:46. From this quote of the story, Oishi Kuranosuke recalled the teaching of his mentor Yamaga Soko. In which he mentioned the replacement of the long- preached principle of Confucianism, with the new one. It was mentioned in the second chapter of this study that the bushido principle based itself to the very idea of Confucianism. The principle such as the bushido loyalty corresponds to the Confucian concept of filial piety. As mentioned in the story afterwards “… but he found willing listeners in the Samurai of Ako ..” Allyn, 1970:46. In terms of his family life, it is noted that Oishi Kuranosuke was a caring husband, and a father. He had a wife of whom marriage he kept with faithfulness. Throughout the years of wait for his time to take revenge as an outcast, Kuranosuke remained vigilant yet faithful to his family. From this marriage he was granted a son he adored so much named Chikara. Apart from these people, it is also noted that he decided to take care of his master ‟s only daughter after the death of his father, whom he swore to protect to the death Allyn, 1970:101.