It is said that the head of the Kira family, Yoshimasa KIRA, who was 18 at that time, courageously fought against one of the expert swordsmen among Ako Roshi, Tadashichi TAKEBAYASHI (also known as Yasube HORIBE) with his naginata skills; however, he fainted after blood from his wound went into his eyes.
当時18歳の吉良家当主の吉良義周は薙刀術を持って、赤穂浪士の剣客のひとりである武林唯七（堀部安兵衛とも）と果敢に渡り合ったが、斬られて目に血が入り、気を失ったという。