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other, Daigaku, announcing that Asano had<br />
[Page 222]<br />
made away with himself and strictly charging the Akō<br />
retainers to surrender the Castle to the Bakufu<br />
commissioners without demur. On being questioned as to<br />
whether Kira was dead or not, Haru said that although he<br />
had repeatedly put the same query to Lord Toda, he had<br />
stubbornly refused to answer.<br />
Two neighbouring Daimyō were presently instructed by the<br />
Bakufu to take charge <strong>of</strong> the Castle <strong>of</strong> Akō, and Araki and<br />
Sakakibara were the censors dispatched from Yedo to<br />
superintend its transfer. When this and the fact that Kira<br />
was still alive became known to the retainers, most <strong>of</strong> them<br />
resolved to draw up a petition, hand over the Castle, and<br />
then solemnly commit hara-kiri at the great entrance to the<br />
stronghold; for then, they reasoned, the Bakufu would be<br />
sure to punish Kira as he deserved. At the head <strong>of</strong> this<br />
party was Ōishi Kuranosuke. But Ono Kurobei headed<br />
another section, who argued that such a step would only<br />
further <strong>of</strong>fend the Yedo authorities. However, Ōishi and sixty<br />
others entered into a written compact to carry out their<br />
purpose. There were others who did not actually sign the<br />
document, but who were neverthless bent upon following<br />
their Lord "upon the dark path". Just then three more<br />
retainers came in from Yedo, and they refused to have<br />
anything to do with such a compact. But not, like Ono, from
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