Honjo Matsuzakacho Park

In short

Honjo Matsuzakacho Park is a park that preserves a portion of the site of Kira Kozukenosuke Yoshihisa's residence, the setting for the raid by the Ako Roshi (masterless samurai of Ako) famous from "Chushingura." It is also known as the Site of the Kira Residence. Its origin dates back to 1934, when local volunteers purchased land centered around a well within the original residence grounds and donated it to Tokyo City; its current area is about 1/86th the size of the estate at that time.

• ​Mishirushi-arai Well​​: The well where the Ako Roshi are said to have washed the severed head of Kira Kozukenosuke.
• ​Statue of Lord Kira Kozukenosuke Yoshihisa​​: A seated statue depicting him in sokutai court dress, holding a long sword in his left hand and a shaku (ceremonial scepter) in his right hand.
• ​Monument to the Kira Clan Retainers​​: A monument mourning the retainers of the Kira clan who fought and died for their lord during the raid.

History and Highlights

​Honjo Matsuzakacho Park​ is a park known as the Site of the Kira Residence, located in Ryogoku 3-chome, Sumida Ward. On the 14th day of the 12th month of Genroku 15, the Forty-seven Ronin of Ako raided the mansion of Kira Kozukenosuke Yoshihisa. Works based on this incident are known as "Chushingura" and serve as subjects for kabuki, films, and other media.

It all began in 1701 (Genroku 14) with a slashing incident against Kira Kozukenosuke in the Matsu no Roka (Pine Corridor) of Edo Castle. Asano Takumi-no-kami, the lord of the Ako Domain who struck Kira, was ordered to commit seppuku on the very same day, and his domain was confiscated. Dissatisfied with this punishment, retainers of the Ako Domain carried out the raid.

Kira Kozukenosuke was the head of the Kira family and served as koke-kimoiri, the senior post among the shogunate officials in charge of ceremonies and rituals relating to the imperial court. He was granted this residence on the 3rd day of the 9th month of Genroku 14, and it was confiscated on the 4th day of the 2nd month of Genroku 16 (1703) following the raid. The actual period he lived here was a short span of less than a year and a half.

In 1934 (Showa 9), volunteers from the local Ryogoku 3-chome neighborhood association took the initiative to purchase the land centered around the well in the residence and donated it to Tokyo City. The park was later transferred to the ward. Its current size is about 1/86th that of the residence back then. It is designated as a Historic Site by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Mishirushi-arai Well​​: A well where the Ako Roshi are said to have washed the severed head of Kira Kozukenosuke after taking his life.
• ​Statue of Lord Kira Kozukenosuke Yoshihisa​​: A seated statue erected in 2010 (Heisei 22). It is based on a seated statue that Yoshihisa had made around 1690. Clad in sokutai court dress, he holds a long sword in his left hand and a vermilion-lacquered shaku in his right hand. Although Kira Kozukenosuke is depicted as a villain in Chushingura, it is said that many people in the local area of Ryogoku still view him favorably.
• ​Monument to Retainers and Namako Wall​​: There is the "Monument to the Twenty Retainers of the Kira Family," which mourns the retainers of the Kira family who fought and died for their lord during the raid. The surrounding namako wall (a tiled wall with raised plaster seams) and the black-lacquered gate were restored to convey the status of a koke family.

Strolling Tips

It is about a 7-minute walk from Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line. During the raid, 24 people including Oishi Chikara entered the Kira residence through its back gate, the site of which is nearby. A kosatsu (wooden proclamation board) stands at that site. Every December, events such as the Gishi-sai honoring the Ako Gishi, the Kira Festival, and the Genroku Market are held. According to tradition, Katsushika Hokusai's mother was the granddaughter of Kobayashi Heihachiro, who served Kira Kozukenosuke and fell in battle during the raid. About 650 meters to the northeast is The Sumida Hokusai Museum. About 200 meters to the west is Eko-in Temple.