The second paper is a document explanatory of their conduct, a copy of which was found on the person of each of the forty-seven men:—­

“Last year, in the third month, Asano Takumi no Kami, upon the occasion of the entertainment of the Imperial ambassador, was driven, by the force of circumstances, to attack and wound my Lord Kotsuke no Suke in the castle, in order to avenge an insult offered to him.  Having done this without considering the dignity of the place, and having thus disregarded all rules of propriety, he was condemned to hara-kiri, and his property and castle of Ako were forfeited to the State, and were delivered up by his retainers to the officers deputed by the Shogun to receive them.  After this his followers were all dispersed.  At the time of the quarrel the high officials present prevented Asano Takumi no Kami from carrying out his intention of killing his enemy, my Lord Kotsuke no Suke.  So Asano Takumi no Kami died without having avenged himself, and this was more than his retainers could endure.  It is impossible to remain under the same heaven with the enemy of lord or father; for this reason we have dared to declare enmity against a personage of so exalted rank.  This day we shall attack Kira Kotsuke no Suke, in order to finish the deed of vengeance which was begun by our dead lord.  If any honourable person should find our bodies after death, he is respectfully requested to open and read this document.

   “15th year of Genroku. 12th month.

   “Signed, OISHI KURANOSUKE, Retainer of Asano
   Takumi no Kami, and forty-six others."[6]

[Footnote 6:  It is usual for a Japanese, when bent upon some deed of violence, the end of which, in his belief, justifies the means, to carry about with him a document, such as that translated above, in which he sets forth his motives, that his character may be cleared after death.]

The third manuscript is a paper which the Forty-seven Ronins laid upon the tomb of their master, together with the head of Kira Kotsuke no Suke:—­

“The 15th year of Genroku, the 12th month, and 15th day.  We have come this day to do homage here, forty-seven men in all, from Oishi Kuranosuke down to the foot-soldier, Terasaka Kichiyemon, all cheerfully about to lay down our lives on your behalf.  We reverently announce this to the honoured spirit of our dead master.  On the 14th day of the third month of last year our honoured master was pleased to attack Kira Kotsuke no Suke, for what reason we know not.  Our honoured master put an end to his own life, but Kira Kotsuke no Suke lived.  Although we fear that after the decree issued by the Government this plot of ours will be displeasing to our honoured master, still we, who have eaten of your food, could not without blushing repeat the verse, ’Thou shalt not live under the same heaven nor tread the same earth with the enemy of thy father or lord,’ nor could we have dared to leave hell and present