Who Is Ono Kurobei Tomofusa (Ono Tomofusa)?
Finance-minded elder who fled Ako
Ono Kurobei was a senior retainer (karo) of the Asano house of Ako, a practical man skilled in managing the domain's finances. He slipped away from Ako by night before Ako Castle was handed over.
After his lord's seppuku, at the council (hyojo) held in the castle, he argued for surrendering the castle peacefully. But he clashed with Oishi Kuranosuke over matters such as how to divide the domain's remaining funds, and before the castle was handed over he vanished from Ako with his son.
For this reason later generations have often seen him as “the disloyal elder,” and he is considered the model for Ono Kudayu, a villain in the play Kanadehon Chushingura. Little is known about his life after he left Ako.
Episodes featuring this character2
NEWEpisode 3
An Army at the Gate. Orders: Don't Fight.The Surrender of Ako Castle
Episode 3 of the series. Their lord is dead and his house abolished, and the retainers of Ako Castle are split between fighting and dying. Oishi Kuranosuke decides that now is not the time to draw swords. A senior retainer slips away, the domain's paper money is about to become worthless, and hotheads ride in from Edo. Through all of it, Oishi hands over the castle without spilling a single drop of blood.
19 pages
NEWEpisode 4
His Lord Is Dead. He Parties Every Night.Oishi Kuranosuke, "The Daytime Lantern"
Episode 4 of the 47 Ronin series. His lord is dead and his house abolished, yet chief retainer Oishi Kuranosuke Yoshio still hopes the clan can be restored. Meanwhile he spends every night in the pleasure quarters, and the townsfolk and his own comrades all laugh at him. For one moment, in the shadows behind the party lights, he shows a stone-cold sober look. Was it an act, or the real man? Dawn comes with no answer.
19 pages