Method of the Study

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. As such were the qualities worth mentioned from the very personality of Oishi Kuranosuke. His loyal dedication to his duty, his remarkable patience and self control, driven by his commitment to uphold the honor of the family he served, has made him being remembered by the history of mankind as a figure he was. It was due to these qualities that Kuranosuke was a worthy leader of the 47 ronin , who remain loyal to their principle, to stand for justice, to devote themselves to what they considered the higher morality Allyn, 1970: 224. From those quotes about Oishi Kuranosuke was a chief samurai of Asano Clan that had high discipline and responsibility in managing himself, his duty, and his family.

B. Loyalty, Self Control, and Honor of Bushido through the characteristics

of Oishi Kuranosuke By the applying the definition of loyalty, self-control and honor of Bushido on the featured characteristic of Oishi Kuranosuke, a description on those three administering principles of life through the characterization of Oishi Kuranosuke‟s personality could be elaborated. Experts‟ explanations about the bushido principles served as the guideline in determining which acts can be considered as an act of loyalty, self-control, or honor. The dialogues and monologues between the characters, as well as the explanatory passages were the provided proof to the analysis on the examined loyalty, self-control, and honor of bushido .

1. Oishi Kuranosuke’s Loyalty

Loyalty was a strong feeling of a major ethical concept in Japanese culture, which had been influenced both by Confucianism in Japanese feudal social classes. According to Confucianism, people ought to be loyal and obedient to those of higher social rank, especially parents filial piety and master, or lord of their occupation. Loyalty and duty or giri were interrelated principles. Someone who did and finished the duty mean heshe kept loyalty to the occupations and the master. Like what had been mentioned in the second chapter the concept of loyalty refers to one‟s strong feeling to a lord or master. It was the very honor of a serving samurai. The loyalty that was depictured in this study is the dedication of Oishi Kuranosuke and his fellow ronin, master-less samurai of the Asano clan, who remained loyal to their duty in upholding justice, standing before even the Shogun, for the sake of higher values. As the quote said: “He stressed that they must obey the Shogun‟s order of confiscation to the letter and do nothing that would compromise Daigaku Asano‟s eventual chances of inheritance Allyn, 1970: 71.” Oishi was loyal to Lord Asano all his life , even after Lord Asano‟s death. Shortly after the death of Lord Asano, and while Oishi and the other samurai were unsure of their path of action, Oishi was contacted by several prominent daimyo who requested his services as chief retainer, but his dedication to the house of Asano had never been stronger and he answered them all with polite refusals.