Chushingura; Or, The Treasury of Loyal Retainers

audiobook

Chushingura; Or, The Treasury of Loyal Retainers

by Izumo Takeda, Shoraku Miyoshi, Senryu Namiki

EN·~4 hours

Chapters

Description

A dramatic episode opens with a powerful clash of honor and law in Edo‑period Japan. When a noble lord is forced to draw his sword inside the shogun’s palace, the resulting disgrace leads to his forced seppuku and leaves his loyal retainers masterless. Bound by an unshakable code, the samurai gather in secret, vowing to restore their lord’s name and avenge the injustice that shattered their household.

The translation captures the rhythmic poetry of the original joruri, preserving the clever word‑plays and the emotional intensity that have made this story a timeless favorite. Accompanied by striking wood‑block illustrations, the narration invites listeners to hear the clash of swords, the whispered counsel of conspirators, and the quiet resolve of men bound by duty. It offers a vivid glimpse into a world where loyalty, sacrifice, and the pursuit of justice intertwine, setting the stage for a legendary quest that has inspired countless retellings.

Details

Language

en

Duration

~4 hours (278K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by Ronald Grenier (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Google Books Library Project/American Libraries.)

Release date

2019-05-02

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the authors

IT

Izumo Takeda

1691–1756

A leading playwright of Japan’s puppet theater, he helped shape some of the best-known dramas of the Edo period. His work is especially linked with the vivid historical storytelling that later moved from bunraku to kabuki.

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SM

Shoraku Miyoshi

An important but still somewhat mysterious voice in 18th-century Japanese puppet theater, this playwright helped shape several of the classics that later became central to kabuki as well. His name is closely linked with landmark works including Sugawara and the Secrets of Calligraphy, Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees, and Kanadehon Chūshingura.

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Senryu Namiki

Senryu Namiki

1695–1751

A major voice in 18th-century Japanese theater, this playwright helped shape some of the best-known works in the bunraku and kabuki traditions. His career is tied to Osaka's lively stage world and to dramas that remained central to Japanese performance for generations.

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