47 Ronin
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47 Ronin
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Narrated by:
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David Shih
About this listen
For those looking for the real story behind the fictionalized movie account of the 47 Ronin story, this is the definitive, fascinating account of this unforgettable tale of a band of samurai who defied the Emperor to avenge the disgrace and death of their master, and faced certain death as a result. It led to one of the bloodiest episodes in Japanese history, and in the process, created a new set of heroes in Japan.
In 1701, young Lord Asano is goaded into attacking a corrupt official at the Japanese Court. Although the wound Asano inflicts is minimal, the Emperor's punishment is harsh: Lord Asano is ordered to commit seppuku, or ritual suicide. His lands are confiscated and his family is dishonored and exiled. His samurai retainers now become ronin, or masterless, and are dispersed.
These ronin are not trusted by their enemies and live under the watchful eyes of spies for months. They appear to adapt to their new circumstances by becoming tradesmen and teachers. But the ronin only seem to accept their fate. They are in fact making careful plans for revenge, biding their time until the moment to strike is right! Their deeds became Japan's most celebrated example of bravery, cunning, and loyalty in an age when samurai were heroes, and honor was worth dying for.
John Allyn's masterful retelling of 47 Ronin has long been considered the definitive version of these dramatic historical events.
©2012 Original material, Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, Inc. Recorded by arrangement with Tuttle Publishing. (P)2013 HighBridge CompanyListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
"Narrator David Shih expertly brings to life this ancient Japanese tale, based on real-life events. Through Shih's interpretation, the listener can hear the determination and even the occasional misgivings of the characters as they plot their revenge. Shih's performance of the noble warriors is flawless, as is his depiction of the women who work in the pleasure houses, but long for more." (AudioFile Magazine)
What listeners say about 47 Ronin
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Christopher Hood
- 19-12-24
Enjoyable
Having recently watched "Shogun", I was in the mood for something else set in Japan. Having never read the story of the 47 Ronin, despite being familiar with the events from studying Japanese history, I decided it was time to address the gap. I found the Foreword to be really useful in providing additional context to the book. As with so many Japanese books, there were pronunciation issues (and in some chapters I heard a slight whistle with the speaking). The story is much as I expected from what I knew from history and was quite enjoyable. I should probably track down one of the many dramatizations.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JOD
- 27-05-24
A Great Story
I thought this was a really great story, gives you a real look at what Japan was like in the time of the samurai, it's a good history lesson I think everyone should hear.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 10-07-24
Very good
Listening to the audiobook of '47 Ronin' was a profound experience. The timeless tale of honor and revenge was brought to life with compelling narration that captured the deep emotions and the stark settings of feudal Japan. The story, rich with cultural significance and moral lessons, unfolds with a pace that is both engaging and reflective. The narrator's ability to convey the subtleties of each character added layers of complexity to the legendary saga of these loyal samurai. I highly recommend this audiobook not just for its historical narrative, but for the immersive journey it promises any listener who appreciates tales of courage and integrity.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Taarente
- 08-08-23
A great story
Very much enjoyed this. Great narration and really got into the story. The story gives a good insight into the culture at the time. Definitely recommended.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Zazafraz
- 25-07-24
History springing to life.
Though not completely accurate according to history books, it’s incredibly entertaining, and feels like the tv show Shogun but in book form. A famous and inspiring story, which I’ve known adequately about, even visiting Sengaku-ji, the temple where the many main characters of the story were buried in Tokyo, Japan. I thought it was gonna be a somewhat dry matter-of-fact book, but it is written as a story of people like a normal historical fiction book, making it easier and more digestive for the mind, and it never really had a dull point.
They also added details which I did not know about, and the narrator did a good job with the many voices and the tempo. Great book overall!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- James
- 29-04-22
very good
well read clear and concise, history should be remembered. just like the film's a slow burn but well worth the time.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Greg Lott
- 21-06-24
Fantastic story- telling
I would throughly recommend this story. The narrative and story teller brings it to life either the added poignancy that it is based on real- life events. Sad as it was, the outcome clearly shows how important duty, dignity and self respect were in those times.Brilliant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- AT
- 04-06-21
Great story
Great account of the real events. Easy to listen and great history lesson and insight in japanese culture.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pawel
- 20-06-23
Very good book
I enjoyed this story I highly recommend especially since it is a true story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- michael brookes
- 09-06-24
Well performed and well written.
Very good story about morality and doing what's right even though it's hard and will ultimately end your life.
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