47 Rōnin: The Ruthless Samurai That Defied The Shōgun | Ancient Black Ops

Its 1703, the Shogun is plunged into controversy when Samurai prince, Asano Naganori, loses his temper and attacks a senior official. This is the story of how Asano's followers, the 47 Ronin, braved Japan and mounted the perfect Black Op.
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[@TimelineChannel]

Hi all, just wanted to explain that you may have seen this documentary pop up a couple of weeks ago. It was flagged for inappropriate verbal content - but we thought this doc was just too good to go, so we have removed the offending scene. Hope you enjoy!

[@TheAshCooper]

The offending scene is the best bit

[@atlanta9286]

What offending scene? 🤔

[@TheSound0fLegends]

Surely removing the scene is for want of a better explanation censoring history?

[@trentweston8306]

A history channel approves of censoring the past.

[@ds698]

I have heard it was really good, when I get Netflix again I will definitely watch it! Besides my own heritage I’m super interested in Japanese and Asian history. Actually I’m massively interested in all ancient history.

[@gmalcolms]

The graves of the 47 ronin at Sengakuji are near my house, so every now and then we walk over and pay them a visit. The most surprising aspect is the wide range of ages of the men (which are written on their tombs). They are as young as 16 but also there are ones in their 70s.

[@marrs1013]

When the bloke in the first minute said:'it almost feels it's alive...', I realized it's going to be a fanboy documentary.

[@clanpsi]

I like how the first 20 seconds are filled with historical inaccuracies and lies. Doesn't bode well for the rest of the show.

[@TheAlwaysPrepared]

I got to 0:28 before the cringe overwhelmed me 😄

[@78tag]

Yes, I immediately started to think about who backed this production.

[@shtf-un6nn]

couldn't agree more, this misrepresentation of Japanese society is an abomination

[@TheSegaSuperFan]

I’m kind of dissapointed with the way the samurai are described in this. They weren’t all obsessed with death, nor was killing their only skill. They were just as focused on life as they were anything else. The way of the warrior wasn’t created to end life, it was created to foster it. Peace through military rigidity. They spent just as much time on the esoteric and philosophical arts as they did combat. They weren’t just mere warriors created to kill. Other than that this is a really great vid. You definitely need to do a bit more research on who the samurai were, and look at someone like Tomoé Gozen for example. As accomplished as she was martially, she was just as focused on the spiritual side of things as well. Bushido should be shown more and credited more.

[@georgemargaritis2392]

They were all about war, Tearing apart Japan in their thirst for power until they were finally defeated.

[@shitslikebear]

What are your sources, or where does your expertise come from? Playing Sega doesn't qualify.

[@patzhomura9371]

They harrass peasants before breakfast everyday. Create to foster life lol they are not doctors.

[@user-dm9ii5uf1r]

Yes, because Japan was influenced by China in ancient times, many samurai and aristocrats understood literature and art. Samurai are not killing machines. They usually fight for their territory and family. When not at war, they will discuss and create like writers.

[@TheSegaSuperFan]

@@georgemargaritis2392 you need to study more than just basic literature that’s presented here in the west. Actually take a look at their history, their past, they were just as devoted to the arts even more so than war. Christ it’s like talking to a six year old. There are so many texts from the Sengoku Jirai period (Japans warring states era similar to Chinas) that show even in the midst of war they put a high value on the spiritual and the arts. Even Miyamoto Musashi dedicated as much of his time learning about life and art as he did about the sword. If all you’re going to do is base level research and look at one particular aspect of their history, you’re not going to get the full picture. Some of the best poets and painters have come from Japan and from the various periods where Samurai were well established and known as the military caste.

[@zenonherrera4366]

The depiction of the samurai here is insulting!

[@cos4779]

How so, and why?

[@78tag]

@@cos4779 Where do you want him to start ?? Good "story" but an obvious misinterpretation to say the least. This is a very biased opinion piece. Come out of your video world and do some research for yourself if you are truly interested in reality.

[@cos4779]

@@78tag lmao, so aggressive. calm down bud. i was just asking for his opinion, dont have to give sass.

[@Th3NoobSlay3r]

The British way of pronouncing samurai always catches me off guard. It’s so funny to my ear

[@NumbuhOne365]

lol SAM-your-rye

[@elijah.akana24]

Definitely cringe.

[@KennethWedin]

British historians do seem to mangle Japanese, Chinese, and Korean names and words quite badly, compared to other English speakers. This is especially true of British professors, who rarely-if ever-seem to have bothered learning the languages of the lands in which they specialize.

[@Booz2020]

Slava SAMURAI 🗾 Geroyam Yakuza 🦾

[@charliesmith_]

Arimasen.

[@JonnoPlays]

Anybody here watching that new Shogun show? It's really really good! Highly recommend.

[@rc59191]

I did it was amazing.

[@michaelbatarick9617]

I watched the first 4 episodes but then it got boring, but I watched the age of samurai on Netflix and holy lord that was great

[@apenza4304]

The book Shogun by James Clavell is a great read.

[@joefawcett2191]

Yeah it was brilliant, it's based on a true story too, the English guy was based on William Adams, and Toranaga was based on Tokugawa Ieyasu

[@Booz2020]

Make TOYOTA 🗾 Great Agains 😎 Scotty Kilmer

[@BlackShogun]

I never want to hear "Sam-YOUR-eye" again

[@markrossow6303]

sahm oo rah ee so my Dad was U.S. Army MI on Okinawa ( oh keh nah wah ) in '64 / '65

[@Andromahlius]

This is one of the worst documentaries I've ever seen in regard to medieval Japan. It's full of errors and misunderstandings. Seppuku wasn't about dying in three days, an assistant cut your head after a few seconds. There are a lot of shortcuts on the story itself too.

[@BrandonGrant-nw5tx]

Any suggestions then ?

[@curtblackwaterbassvick8112]

I agree, it starts off saying the katana is the deadliest weapon ever made. This documentary seems to be opinion based with little facts

[@Tiz147]

Which would you recommend?

[@samuel10125]

First few words in and already I can see doc based on more myth than fact.

[@Broken_Broom99]

I was done at the black ops comment lol

[@leburger5160]

Yeah. they made the mistake of claiming Japanese steel was the best in the world. Japanese iron deposits were low grade. What made the katana so good wasn't the steel. What made it good was the technique of folding the steel to produce tensile strength to counter how shit the steel was. Japanese steel was notorious for being brittle and has always largely been considered shit by anyone who has any experience in metallurgy...

[@AtHEEstory]

​@@Broken_Broom99 That and the shameless katana jerking despite all evidence to the contrary. That was the “Yup, I'm clicking off” point.

[@estmed]

The katana was the utmost in technology......for cutting down unarmed peasants who disrespected you​@@leburger5160

[@user-dm9ii5uf1r]

Japanese culture as understood by Westerners

[@Gabe-bz9nk]

The samurai were like the Spartans that valued art poems and war . 2 truly remarkable ways of life. There is a Japanese saying that you can spend a whole lifetime looking at a tree change through the seasons and if you only did that it wouldn’t be a wasted life Truly amazing

[@ahklys1321]

Discipline taken to brilliant heights

[@Balrog-tf3bg]

The Japanese are really good at hiding their history huh?

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

It was a thrilled watching documentary about shogun rule and Semoray fighters clans... Thank you (Timeline) for sharing

[@eddyrijssen7302]

Thx for sharing this video 🤙🏽

[@mohitsawant956]

I hope the creators of Shogun tv show give us a spin off show of the 47 ronin I think it'll be cool to see more about Japanese history

[@HOTPLATEGAMING]

This is wrong at 40:09 they have shinsengumi in the video. They didnt exist in the 1700s.

[@ghostwarrior3878]

They're taking creative liberties to tell the story... Any sense of historical accuracy is thrown out the window

[@importantname]

Many Japanese historians disagree with much of this story told by british story tellers.

[@TrentsROOM]

Japan takes everything to another level. They really take "do everything to the best of your ability" seriously

[@TheAlwaysPrepared]

🤣 Nice one

[@itamiyouji4057]

I love this story: hardened warriors exact justice against a corrupt, useless, and petty bureaucrat.

[@bogdandaraban1593]

"the deadliest blade ever made"😂😂😂

[@tekawapangjamir4990]

Came to know the story through the movie but with this documentary could understand indeep more about 47 Ronin

[@Samurai63864]

The move was better tho. Keanu is a true Samurai.

[@Drunkgamer904]

9:55 was a pretty interesting scene where dude gets down on one knee and chops his katana at the grass. Sent shivers down my spine.

[@chrisjarvis2287]

@Metatron needs to see this one

[@LuanHaylander]

These experts never come from the country where they expert in. Always amazes me….

[@MrG77]

The lengths they went to and the long time they left it before striking amazes me. Brilliant story of revenge for there master. 🙏

[@Samurai63864]

Yer but they should "Get a life". Miserable buggers.

[@matthewshaw5792]

Excellent love the honour these guys showed

[@MrBoDiggety]

Great story! Excellent stuff

[@AngryMarine-il6ej]

This is as bad as Netflix 'Age of the Samurai: The Battle for Japan'. There are other channels that give a more simplified and accurate description of samurai. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to have read that samurai had ceased wearing the traditional armor almost 100 years prior. After Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated the last of the Toyotomi loyalists and was affirmed as 'shogun', the Sengoku Jidai had ended. Armor was thus, no longer necessary.

[@dm3ris]

shogun brings me here

[@psforos]

Awesome.

[@PaletoB]

Cant wait for some Crown mods 😂 Need to hear that v8

[@nelsonbailey310]

Fitting in: can you imagine

[@HistoryForYou68]

The movie is really good and captivating, please release new videos so we can continue watching.

[@Suprahampton]

Wouldn't describe Samurai as 'black ops'

[@MMURDZZ]

Why? Because they don't have night vision goggles and M4s? They were special soldiers conducting clandestine military operations under the cover of night. Of course the term "black ops" didn't exist in feudal japan. They used that term in this piece to give viewers a way to understand in more modern terms.

[@Celisar1]

@@MMURDZZ You are confusing the samurais with ninjas.

[@MMURDZZ]

@Celisar1 No. I'm not. Im talking about the subjects of this video. Samurai/Ronin.

[@tannerdenny5430]

I so I've heard about how great the katana is...but japanese were impressed by European arms armor

[@ghostwarrior3878]

The Japanese armies of that time period were not opposed to using better weapons and armor especially if it helps them get ahead in fighting.

[@stevenhoskins7850]

Katanas are made for slashing. Cruciforms are made for piercing metal armor. The Katana is the better blade, but not as good against metal armor as a Cruciform.

[@tannerdenny5430]

@@stevenhoskins7850 not better, different. But your info is spot on.

[@Chewy_GarageBandDad]

@@stevenhoskins7850 You dont know what you are talking about. Samurai Katana were low in quality due to lack of resources and some lack of innovation e.g. using a clay Katara that does not remove a high level of impurities and Iron ore sand that yes, could be mined and sifted from rivers but most came from beaches and lack of dealing with the sulphur and phosphorous within the iron ore..

[@Seven.And.The.RaggedTiger]

What a great class of warriors.. the world will never see again 🙏👹

[@coreywilkinson2778]

A lot of dorks saying this video is "historically inaccurate" but I don’t see anyone explaining how.

[@leemccabemccabe5627]

The Last Samire 🎬 ❤️ 💯

[@JeremyJones-sc4yv]

There are parts of the Keanu Reeves movie in this story but part of it seems like what happened in the Last Knights with Clive Owen and Morgan Freeman.

[@jamesgratton6516]

Way to many Ads

[@AA-hg5fk]

*too many

[@DavidKleiven]

Respectful ❤

[@ToastSoon4808]

My Boerboel is named "Ronin Shenji". Weighs 58kg and does his work well...protecting us. After reading some of the comments and having some background I exited at 11 min.

[@F15ElectricEagle]

I am so glad they mentioned samurais used spears, blows and arrows, clubs, axes and other types of weapons after overpraising the katana. The primary weapons of the samurais in combat was not the katana but most often the bow and arrow and the spear, and later on, primitives black powder rifles. In fact, during combat if a samurai has to resort to using the katana, it is usually because he/she (and yes there were female samurais) screwed up badly somewhere during the fight.

[@mindoftheswarm7]

The deadliest blade ever made? If you mean how many people have died to it, then maybe. But if you’re talking the most efficient at killing…. Nah.

[@mk45gunnr25]

only in giving yourself to something bigger than yourself do you become more than what you are.

[@zephyr66]

Jin Sakai would definitely not going to like this

[@aaronstclair2423]

The forms of Kanly have been obeyed!

[@9thteardropgameteller601]

Stop watchng at 0.53 Deadliest blade ever made.

[@BerzerkMaggot777]

Would of been a better story for the new assassins creed game than what they came up with

[@roberthenry3757]

Domo. From everyone who just had a Tishiro moment.

[@roberthenry3757]

Mifume. Baka

[@christophermiller9624]

What is the movie about the 47 Ronan.

[@itsmeagain7825]

47 ronin

[@BILLYC0DE]

This is shortly after the real guy from "Shogun" show real guy...the anjin...he was there in the mid 1600s and his real lord was from Edo

[@zasterheffor]

It's surprising to hear that revenge is still heralded as a virtue in Japan, or at least that is the impression given by the end of this short documentary. In Edo Japan, the 47's actions are a consequence of desperation, and it seems like given the facts as recorded by historians, they took liberty with how they interpreted their master's death. If vengeance in and of itself is a virtue, regardless of context or circumstance in Edo Japan, that's an interesting insight.

[@KennethWedin]

Having lived in Japan for decades, I can’t really say revenge (fukushu in Japanese) is integral in the society at all. I do notice it’s strong in Chinese society right up to the present.

[@zasterheffor]

@@KennethWedin Thanks for the clarification. This documentary to me encapsulates, if anything, how inflexible behavioral traditions of Edo Japan often clashed with one another to the point of death. What started with critiques of social etiquette led to bloodshed, then death, just as another critique of etiquette - only this time, from the perspective of the 47 ronin - did the same. The narration romanticizes the efforts of the ronin, but it is still unclear whether that romanticism is representative of the cultural milieu then - or even the historical literature - or whether it is just the editorializing of the writers. It should be a little more clear on that front, especially when presenting history of a culture one is not native to.

[@daisukesenpai8821]

I'm just here because of Ubisoft's new Assassin's Creed.

[@Barbone72]

Good one!

[@ronnielpapasin403]

It's bothering me so much on how me pronounces Samurai.

[@nelsonbailey310]

Hatfield and the McCoys

[@N.CTT1991]

Sounds like the movie.

[@PinkuStyle]

I see Samurai I watch

[@19thnervousbreakdown80]

It wouldn't be like drawing a gun in Buckingham Palace because the punishment wouldn't be 100% definite for anything done in Britain. And it had absolutely happened before during the same shoguns reign! Those are two facts. What isn't a fact at all is what happened after the affair at the palace, because there was nobody left to tell the tale.

[@TonyZ96]

6:58

[@miguelsuarez-solis5027]

Best metal work ever? Relax, it was not. Stop perpetrating this myth. Katanas were not superior swords you weebs

[@Daniel-wm3pk]

That what is? Please explain

[@jtsherrer]

Couldn't make it past a minute. "Deadliest" swords ever ?? lol? Someone has been playing too many video games

[@lordulicqel-droma3959]

Who’s the narrator

[@leemccabemccabe5627]

House of the rising Sun 🇬🇧 🌎 🗽 🙏

[@KennethWedin]

Who on earth made those supposed single-layer kimono and hakama? Clearly, they’re from some British thrift shop, likely imported from Vietnam, if not simply made by a British or Chinese seamstress from embarrassingly gaudy rayon. Likewise, the parchment paper is of ridiculously poor quality, and the text clearly was printed out with a printer rather than written cursively with a brush. I love Timeline, but the production value of this video was so embarrassing that I eventually had to just listen without watching.

[@slummyshotya]

The obsession with death is not factual.The obsession is to one self and one’s pride and dignity.Death before dishonor.They just so happen to be excellent mercenaries.but to be a samurai is MUCH more than just killing and being obsessed with killing.

[@MayomiBravo]

Is this speaking of a dependent of who Torinagwa was based on?

[@eleveninfinityx]

so... this video was created by a high school kid living in the suburbs who has watched a lot of anime.

[@AzamatoTheGreat]

'samyurai' come on

[@mnrick1960]

So many errors in this documentary. But, they emphasize what the public has been groomed to believe. Myth sells. That is not to take ANYTHING from the 47. Loyalty like that is very rare.

[@TheMisleduser]

Samureye

[@MML-gk5xc]

Why don't we have a Japanese person to tell us this story that happened in Japan ?

[@PARABELLUM-sq4qb]

The person who uploaded it did it first

[@bigmonke7661]

The samurine

[@codystyle]

Sorry, but as an anthropologist working at a university in Nagoya, Japan I will say thay this documentary is not very good. From bold statements with no factual basis, to showing images of random castles and temples while talking about a place completely different. Even the opening introduction is a strange statement. And it is crazy how British people struggle with Japanese pronunciation. My coworker who is from England, is amazing at Japanese. However his pronunciation of japanese vocabulary make me cringe.

[@terryeaster1]

Impeccable story telling!! Happy new sub here ↖️

[@gundarvarr1024]

They are NOT special forces, they are SOLDIER. Special forces is those SHINOBI.

[@pancakes429]

Shinobi aren't fighters, they are modern spies and assassins. Samurai on the other hand are even more elite than today's special forces as their life was war.

[@cwavt8849]

I am American and I have never heard Samurai pronounced like this. Also, the wigs used for the men are so glaringly party wigs from the lical party favor store that it is almost insulting.

[@Twolegger]

Killing me with sooo many ads! Trying to get some work done and the skip distraction is not helping. One more AI narrated ad for a widget that is “taking the world by storm” and I’m going to lose bowel control.

[@Raharth]

There is so much wrong with this and so much exaggeration. No it was not the best sword, no it didn't take 3 days to bleed to death. You were decapitated in a very specific way by one of your closest friends or relatives seconds after you made the cut. Kind of disappointing to be honest, you could have been just historically accurate but you wanted to make an action move instead - at least by plot.

[@michaelcollins827]

Who cares hahahaha

[@Daniel-wm3pk]

What is the best sword than smart guy

[@Raharth]

​@Daniel-wm3pk the question doesn't make sense. What's the best car, house, gun, dog? There is no magical "best", it's all time and context dependent

[@Raharth]

​@@michaelcollins827apparently you, enough at least to answer 😄

[@tompaste387]

These 'so-called experts' are a joke

[@jetta5267]

Why are the historians calling simple people "country bumpkins "?

[@AA-hg5fk]

Country bumpkin is a term used in British English to describe people living in rural communities with little experience of civic life/customs. Source: Am British and was a country bumpkin.

[@juanch6936]

Sah-myou-reye

[@tompaste387]

Japanese do not walk on tatami mats in bare feet

[@DougUnfunny]

the women they got did not understand the assignment. Smiling and giggling is not how japanese women would have been back then. No shogun didn't teach me. I knew that before the show.

[@roeweldelossantos3588]

"In Tagalog. "Napaka-Bangis!!!"😮😮

[@holdonasecondamigo599]

Where r my asian historians??

[@MrLantean]

The story of the 47 Ronins is an interesting story but unfortunately it is an embellished or fictionalized version of a real event known as Ako Incident in the official records of Japan. The fictionalized version is known as the Chūshingura. The historical Asano Naganori is not the honorable gentleman as portrayed in the story but a person with a rash hot-headed personality. The Shogunate has compiles records on the characters and personality of the feudal lords and Asano's records only yield negative traits. The administration of his domain of Ako is not done by him but by his chief retainer, Ōishi Yoshio, as Asano lacks the interest of doing so and instead spends most of his time indulging in pleasure. He and another feudal lord are chosen by the Shogun to host a visiting envoy from Kyoto and a court official by the name of Kira Yoshinaka is assigned to teach them court etiquettes and protocols. Kira is potrayed in the story as a greedy and corrupt court official who demands brides for teaching them. However there are no evidence that he is as he is portrayed in the story. According to official records, Kira has the reputation of a fair and honorable person and is well respected by many peers which includes the Shogun. Kira holds the position of Koke (Master of Ceremony) which is a highly prestigious but unfortunately a low-income position. His annual income is barely 10% of Asano's annual income. He may have expect some rich gifts as tokens of appreciation as well as a supplement to his low-income position. Kira is said to have insulted Asano but there are no evidence and it most likely never happen in the first place. Being a Koke, Kira sets a very high standard and demands perfection. Asano lacks patient and discipline to learn court etiquettes and protocols and got frequent reprimanded by Kira. Due to his hot-headed personality, Asano perhaps see the reprimands as insult and in a reckless move, strikes at Kira with his sword while within the Shogun's Castle. Drawing a sword while within the Shogun's Castle without the Shogun's permission is against the law and is punishable by death. Asano is punished by the way of seppuku as a result. Ako Domain is confiscated by the Shogunate and its samurais become ronins. Only 47 out of hundreds of ronins choose to avenge their feudal lord. The act of the 47 ronins is condemned and criticized by some renown samurai. The author of the Hagakure, Yamamoto Tsunetomo asks a well-known question of what happen if Kira has died from natural causes instead. Kira is already at the advanced age of sixty where the average lifespan is between 40 to 60 years. The ronins have spent a year or 2 planning their attack on Kira. If Kira did die from natural causes, the ronins will lose their only chance of vengeance and be forever branded as cowards and thus bringing further shame to Asano Clan. Asano did break the law and are dealt with accordingly. The ronins fail in their duty is guiding their feudal lord to be a better and instead blame their misfortunate and the misfortunate of the Asano Clan on an elderly court official instead of their own incompetent feudal lord. The attack on Kira is one sided. Kira is not a wealthy man as portrayed in the story where he hires a thousand guards for protection. Due to his low-income position, ha can only to afford a handful of guards. According to official records, the ronins are heavily armed with various type of weapons which includes gunpowder weapons. As result, Kira's men are outnumbered and out fought. The ronins may have a selfish agenda in reporting their action to the Shogunate. Perhaps they expect to be pardoned by the Shogunate on grounds of Bushido and allows them to find employment elsewhere. In the end, the story of the 47 Ronin is about vengeance carried out based on misguided honor loyalty and sacrifice. They justify their action by accusing Kira as a greedy and corrupt court official. A feudal lord with rash, reckless and hot head personality is posthumously romanticized as an honorable gentlemen worthy of being a samurai while an elderly court official with decades of good service record to the Shogunate is posthumously vilified as a greedy and corrupt person.

[@TheRedConstituents.]

Sam You Rai.

[@muriel24mj87]

The SaMYUrai.. 🤦

[@muriel24mj87]

The SaMyurai.. 🤦

[@shtf-un6nn]

Samurai, weren't a military elite, they were the royalty who were trained in military excellence. the ignorance of this video is insane

[@juanmarquez1679]

👽

[@scottyskydog]

More likely obsessed with honor!

[@pemonline3395]

Ronin were dishonored men who refused to commit seppuku after their daimyo was defeated.

[@user-vh5iu6oi7z]

Samiuray

[@Stone46988]

It feels wrong listening about samurai from British people.😂😂😂😂

[@TySeven86]

Obnoxious isn't it.

[@brandonsoal-bo5fl]

Typical American

[@iamcarlolocsin]

so the movie 47 ronin is not even close to what really happen

[@septegram]

I was looking forward to this, but couldn't get past the (mis) pronunciation "sam-you-rai." Stopped at that point.

[@adriansaun7920]

The CODE of Bushido explained by Westerners.😂😂