Oishi

Oishi was cast out as a ronin when his master Hiruma Asano took his own life due to Bayushi Kira greed and treachery. He made a vow of vengeance. Kira setup a spy network and kept tabs on Oishi and his ronin. He found that Oishi took up sake and geisha while his subordinates took up other lines of work. As time past Kira money dwindled and he replaced his spy network with 60 loyal bushi.

A year to the day of Asano’s death 31 hooded garb of firemen gathered on the streets around Kira’s home. They broke in and defeated the unprepared guards. The entire time a single enderly ronin stood in the roas before the gates holding a placard for passerby with the following inscribed.

“We are the ronin of Shiro Asano. This night we come to avenge our master with the death of Bayushi Kira. We intend you no harm.”

At the head of the attack wad Oishi and he hunted down Kira and challenged him. Oishi took Kira head and presented it to the tomb of his master  Each of Oishi men were allowed to commit seppuku once they surrendered to the emperor’s men. The Crab Clan now hold a celebration for the 31 ronin yearly on the day of Kira’s death. (Wolf p27-28)