Howland, Douglas. "Samurai Status, Class, and Bureacracy: A Historiographical Essay." The Journal of Asian Studies. 60.2 (2001): 353-380.

 This article explores the beginning of the samurai and their role in Japanese history. From being their own class in Tokugawa society to their ability to hold  public office, the samurai held much privelege in Japanese society.

   This article gives a good perspective on the role of the samurai in Japanese society and helps explain why the story of the 47 ronin continues to live on in Japanese folklore. Their status in Japanese history made them an interesting topic in early theater and later on in cinema. The samurai were the essential element of Mizoguchi's film and his goal was to pay tribute to them and their culture with his film.

Cavendish, Richard."The Forty-Seven Ronin Incident December 14th, 1702." History Today; 52.1 (2002): 52

    This article is a brief summary of the actual story of the forty-seven ronin. In 1702, the forty seven samurai were demoted to ronin since their master, Asano was ordered to commit suicide for killing an officer named Kira Yoshinaka. The ronin decided that they must seek revenge in order to defend their honor code. Waiting nearly two years to strike, the ronin forced their way into Kira's house, killing him and several of his samurai. Their punishment was death by disembowlment and they became heroes of Japanese folklore.

   Gaining a true understanding of the forty seven ronin legend allowed for a clearer persepective on the films and plays made in their honor. It would provide a historical perspective in my paper and allow for comparison between the real story and  Kenji Mizoguchi's version.