翻刻
時節場所之働不調法至極に付切腹被 仰付領地赤穂之城被
召上候義家来共畏入奉存候請 上使之御下知城地差上家中早速
離散仕候右喧嘩之節御同席に御押留之御方有之上野介殿討留め
不申内匠末期残念之心底家来共難忍仕合に御座候対高家之御
歴々挟鬱憤候段憚奉存候得共君父之讐共不可戴天之義難黙
止今日上野介殿御宅へ推参仕候偏継亡主之意趣志而已に御座候私共
死後若御見分之御方様御座候はゝ御披見奉願如此御座候以上
浅野内匠頭長矩家来
元禄十五壬午年十二月 大石内蔵助
現代語訳
時節と場所を考えない軽率な行動で、極めて不調法であったため、切腹を仰せ付けられ、領地赤穂の城を召し上げられました。この件について家来一同、恐れ入って存じております。上使の御下知をお受けし、城地を差し上げ、家中は早速離散いたしました。右の喧嘩の節、御同席で御制止された御方がいらっしゃったにも関わらず、上野介殿を討ち留めることができず、内匠頭の末期の残念な心底を、家来共は忍び難い仕合でございます。高家の御歴々に対して鬱憤を抱く段、恐れ多く存じますが、君父の仇は共に天を戴くべからざる義理であり、黙止し難く、今日上野介殿の御宅へ推参いたしました。ひとえに亡き主君の意趣を継ぐ志のみでございます。私共の死後、もし御見分される御方様がいらっしゃいましたら、御披見をお願い申し上げます。このような次第でございます。以上。
元禄十五年壬午年十二月 浅野内匠頭長矩家来
大石内蔵助
英語訳
Due to reckless behavior that showed no consideration for time and place, which was extremely improper, [our lord] was ordered to commit seppuku and his domain of Akō castle was confiscated. Regarding this matter, all retainers humbly acknowledge [the situation]. We received the shogunal envoy's orders, surrendered the castle grounds, and the household immediately disbanded. During that quarrel, although there were those present who tried to restrain [our lord], we failed to strike down Lord Kira. The dying regrets of our lord Takumi-no-kami are an unbearable situation for us retainers. While we are deeply ashamed to harbor resentment against the distinguished members of the Kōke family, the principle that one cannot share the same heaven with the enemy of one's lord and father makes it impossible for us to remain silent. Today we have come to Lord Kira's residence. This is solely out of our determination to carry on our deceased lord's intentions. Should there be any officials who examine us after our deaths, we humbly request that this be reviewed. Such are the circumstances. The above.
The 15th year of Genroku, Year of the Water Horse, 12th month
Retainer of Asano Takumi-no-kami Naganori
Ōishi Kuranosuke