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The Remember the Ronin product logo is designed to let the wearer display their loyalty to particular sport or activity. The logo itself is comprised of the letters R-T-R (Remember the Ronin) as one single symbol. The story of the 47 Ronin goes back many years in Japanese history and is one that describes extreme honor and loyalty. It is not a myth or a legend but a true story of sacrifice. People every year can visit the graves of those involved.

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Remember the Ronin is about honor and loyalty. If you enjoy paintball and have enjoyed its growth, or are new to the sport and want it to continue to grow, support it. You can support the game with good hard play style and an honest effort to keep the game fun and exciting.

Honor. Honor is up to you. Every game you play is a chance to show honor or disgrace.

Loyalty. Loyalty is what has placed the game at the level that it is today. Without it, we will not grow. With it, we will multiply. Show your loyalty with any Remember the Ronin labeled products!

For a historical account of the 47 Ronin please click on this link.
www.samurai-archives.com/ronin.html

Here is the short simplified version for you. This version of the story has been cut short and numerous details of it have been omitted for ease of reading and to get to the moral of the story.

Back in the days of early Japan, in the 1700’s, there were leaders called Lords. Each Lord had an incredibly loyal group of warriors known as Samurai.

There was a Lord (Asano) who was tasked with entertaining a group of important people but he did not have the knowledge to do it correctly. So another Lord (Kira) was tasked with showing Asano how to do it. Both disliked each other and Kira was always making fun of Asano and treating him badly.

Finally Asano got sick of this and tried to kill Kira. He only wounded him. He also attempted this in a very religious temple which added to the infraction greatly.

Even though Asano was given an easy way out, he decided not to take it and except his punishment. His only regret was that he was not successful in his attempt to kill him.

The powers that be sentenced Asano to Seppuku which is slicing your belly open and spilling you internals out resulting in death. If a person shows signs of hesitation after the initial plunge of the blade, or cannot continue because of pain, the person standing above him can cut his head off. Each result in death and both are considered acceptable and honorable. Asano was successful in doing it himself.

Now all of the Samurai under Asano were out of work and Master less. Even in death they were loyal to their Lord.

A plan was devised among the now “Ronin” or Masterless Warriors, to attack the Kira compound and kill him. Knowing that Kira would reinforce his compound for just such an attack, they waited a year or so to do it. Of the original Samurai, 47 actually showed up to attack even though they knew they too would get the death sentence for their actions.

They did attack. Losing only one Ronin and killing every Samurai of Lord Kira. They hunted down Kira within his compound, cut off his head, and brought it to their Lords grave.

They too were arrested and sentenced to Seppuku.

So, all of the Ronin performed Seppuku with no hesitation or help. They killed themselves to honor their Lord whom had died so long ago.

And there it is.

If there is only one thing taken from this story in history it is Loyalty.

Paintball, even though it is just a game, is a game of honor. It is a sport that we enjoy as it grows into the mainstream. Those who disgrace us by shooting road signs, shooting vehicles, ramping when not allowed, abusing the new player, fighting on the field, ruin public relations at larger events, or just plain CHEAT, are honor less.

Remember that the public has great power when safety is proven to be compromised. When you see someone cheat, when you have the chance to stop a person from committing a stupid act, or if you feel the need to do any of the listed above, Act! You know what will hurt paintballs public image and its future players. Be loyal to the game and its growth.

Remember The Ronin.

If you believe that you know a person past or present that deserves recognition as a loyal player of the game, please send us their name and reasons why you feel that they do. Please feel free to include any field or team names. We will try to post all submissions in a reasonable amount of time.