The Abe Clan

19 vassals of Lord Hosokawa ask permission to commit harakiri with him as a demonstration of their loyalty Only Yaichiemon Abe is refused permission forced instead into the vassalage of his lords successor Humiliated and derided Yaichiemon eventually commits harakiri without permission His eldest son is then punished for Yaichiemons suicide and when he resists is sentenced to death The entire Abe clan rebels upon the sons execution and the clan is annihilated Alan Poul Japan Society