Act Eleven Summary

It is the night of the assault. Several boats come ashore near Moronao's mansion. Scores of armed and armored samurai, many of whom are named in detail, disembark into prearranged squads. Yuranosuke reminds everyone to use the passwords derived from the name of Gihei's shop: ama and kawa. The small army splits in two, with one group headed to the front of the mansion, and the other to the rear.

Within the mansion, put at ease by the rumors of Yuranosuke's dispensation, Moronao indulges his hedonism. A handful of Yuranosuke's men scout the mansion and disable guards on the perimeter, throwing open the main gate to the courtyard. The samurai breach the mansion's shutters by placing bent bamboo bows beneath them and then cutting the strings in unison. When the poles straighten, the shutters are destroyed.

Yuranosuke's league of samurai rushes...