Former Kira Residence

Kira tei, or Kira's former residence, is also known as Honjyo Matsuzakacho Park. It is a small part of the former residence of Kira Kozukenosuke Yoshihisa, a court official in the Edo shogunate. This building became famous after the historical event known as Ako-roshi (or Ako vendetta). Asano Takuminokami, who was a lord of Ako, killed himself by committing seppuku (ritual suicide) when he was assaulted by Kira. A group of 47 Ako-roshi from Asano's clan attacked Kira's residence to avenge their master's honour. This tragic event was made into many kabuki plays and films titled “Chushingura.” The original residence was built on a huge plot of land measuring 134 meters from east to west and 63 meters from south to north; today only one seventy-sixth of the residence remains. Matsuzaka-inari shrine, on the same property, enshrines Kira and the well said to have been used to clean his head. The site is designated an Important Cultural Property of Tokyo and is open to the public with free admission. A seven-minute walk from Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line. Alternatively, a ten-minute walk from Toei Ryogoku station on the Oedo Line.